2015 Anderson and Sizemore Conservation Areas Management Plan
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OVERVIEW
Area Name
Area
Number
Year
Acquired
Acreage
County
Administrative
Responsibility
Maintenance
Responsibility
Anderson CA
200304
2003
341
Crawford
Forestry
Forestry
Sizemore CA
200305
2003
180
Crawford
Forestry
Forestry
Statements of Purpose:
A. Strategic Direction
The John N. and Melba S. Anderson Memorial Conservation Area (Anderson CA) and
the Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore Memorial Conservation Area (Sizemore CA) will be
managed to provide upland wildlife habitat in a portion of Missouri lacking public upland
wildlife hunting opportunities. Management of the areas is focused on the eastern
cottontail rabbit, but benefits a wide diversity of upland wildlife species.
B. Desired Future Condition
The desired condition of these areas is to improve the plant and animal diversity of the
field and woodland habitats, while providing quality rabbit and other small-game hunting
opportunities. Habitat management will provide open woodlands and diverse fields with
ample brush and cover.
C. Federal Aid Statement
N/A
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS
I. Special Considerations
Area Name
Natural Areas
Anderson CA
River Hills Priority Focus Landscape, Middle Meramec
Watershed Important Bird Area, Upper and Middle Meramec
None
Sizemore CA
River Hills Priority Focus Landscape, Middle Meramec
Watershed Important Bird Area, Upper and Middle Meramec
None
II. Important Natural Features and Resources
Area Name
Species of Conservation Concern
Caves
Springs
Anderson CA
None
None
None
Sizemore CA
None
None
None
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III. Existing Infrastructure
Area Name
Parking Lot
Other
Anderson CA
1
2 wildlife watering holes
Sizemore CA
1
N/A
IV. Area Restrictions or Limitations
Area
Name
Deed
Restrict-
ions
Federal
Interest
Ease-
ments
Cultural
Resources
Hazards
Endangered
Species
Boundary
Issues
Anderson
CA
None
Yes
1
Yes
2
Yes
3
None
observed
None
observed
Yes
4
Sizemore
CA
None
Yes
1
Yes
2
Yes
3
None
observed
None
observed
Yes
4
1
Federal funds may be used in the management of this land. Fish and wildlife agencies may not
allow recreational activities and related facilities that would interfere with the purpose for which
the State is managing the land. Other uses may be acceptable and must be assessed in each
specific situation.
2
Electric easement
3
Yes, records kept with the Missouri Department of Conservation (the Department)
Environmental Compliance Specialist. Managers should follow Best Management Practices for
Cultural Resources found in the Department Resource Policy Manual.
4
Establishing accurate and identifiable boundary markers is a priority for this property.
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
V. Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) These areas have been owned by the Department since 2003. No baseline
inventories of natural communities or forest resources have been conducted. This
greatly limits the ability of land managers to prioritize land management
activities.
2) There is a fair rabbit population established on the area. Overgrown fields limit
the population expansion. However, the population of rabbits should respond
quickly to the planned field renovations and woodland management.
Management Objective 1: Assess woodland communities available on the area to
determine and prioritize woodland management activities.
Strategy 1: Complete a forest inventory in the woodlands and implement
appropriate management prescriptions, accordingly (e.g., non-commercial
thinning, prescribed fire). (Forestry)
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Management Objective 2: Create 30 acres of open-land small-game habitat from
existing old fields. Small-game habitat includes old fields with native herbaceous shrubby
cover and woodland field edge enhancements.
Strategy 1: Evaluate current overgrown fields for management needs, prioritize
management and begin renovations. Field renovations may include cedar
removal, green browse establishment, edge feathering and the placement of brush
piles for cover. (Forestry, Wildlife)
Strategy 2: Establish and implement prescribed fire units. Prioritize management
of these units that will allow long-term management of old fields and woodland
habitats. (Forestry)
Strategy 3: Control invasive plant species, such as Japanese honeysuckle, serecia
lespedeza and tall fescue. (Forestry)
VI. Public Use Management Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) These conservation areas are small tracts of land that border residential properties.
2) The amount and type of public use is somewhat limited on these areas primarily
due their small size.
Management Objective 1: Maintain the area in a way that invites the public to use the
property.
Strategy 1: Mark and maintain boundary lines. (Forestry)
Strategy 2: Keep area regulations posted on sign boards. Regularly pickup trash
and keep the grass on the edge of the parking lots mowed. (Forestry)
Strategy 3: Conduct periodic enforcement patrols. (Protection)
VII. Administrative Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) Potential boundary line issues with neighbors.
Management Objective 1: Resolve any boundary issues with neighbors.
Strategy 1: Work with neighboring landowners on boundary issues, as they arise.
(Forestry)
Strategy 2: Determine accurate and identifiable property boundary lines.
Maintain them according to department guidance. (Forestry)
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Lands Proposed for Acquisition/Disposal:
When available, adjacent land may be considered for acquisition from willing
sellers. Tracts that improve area access, provide public use opportunities, contain
unique natural communities and/or species of conservation concern, or meet other
Department priorities, as identified in the annual Department land acquisition
priorities, may be considered.
MANAGEMENT TIMETABLE
Strategies are considered ongoing unless listed in the following table:
FY15
FY16
FY17
FY18
FY19
FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
FY24
Terrestrial Resource Management
Objective 1
Strategy 1
X
X
Objective 2
Strategy 1
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Strategy 2
X
X
X
X
X
Strategy 3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Public Use Management
Objective 1
Strategy 1
X
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APPENDICES
Public Input Summary:
The draft Anderson and Sizemore Memorial Conservation Areas Management Plan was
available for a public comment period April 1–30, 2015. The Missouri Department of
Conservation received one comment (Appendix 9). The Anderson and Sizemore Memorial
Conservation Areas Planning Team carefully reviewed and considered these ideas as they
finalized this document. A brief summary of public input themes, including how they were
incorporated or why they were not, can be found below. Rather than respond to each individual
comment, comments are grouped into general themes and are addressed collectively.
Department responses to themes and issues identified through Anderson and Sizemore Memorial
Conservation Areas public comment period
Suggests adding hiking trails.
The planning team recognizes the need to provide access to these areas for hiking as well as
other uses. There are currently no plans to establish designated hiking trails on these areas,
however we do maintain service roads allowing access for our staff to manage the areas. The
service roads can be utilized by hikers to access these areas. The locations of the service roads
will be added to future printings of area maps.
References:
Nigh, T. A., & Schroeder, W. A. (2002). Atlas of Missouri ecoregions. Jefferson City, Missouri:
Missouri Department of Conservation.
Appendices:
Appendix 1. Anderson CA Area Map
Appendix 2. Anderson CA Current Vegetative Map
Appendix 3. Anderson CA Area Background
Appendix 4. Sizemore CA Area Map
Appendix 5. Sizemore CA Current Vegetative Map
Appendix 6. Sizemore CA Area Background
Appendix 7. Aerial Map of Anderson and Sizemore CAs
Appendix 8. Topographical Map of Anderson and Sizemore CAs
Appendix 9. Anderson and Sizemore Conservation Areas Management Plan Public Comments
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Appendix 1. Anderson CA Area Map
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Appendix 2. Anderson CA Current Vegetative Map
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Appendix 3. Anderson CA Area Background
Anderson Conservation Area was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2003
as part of the estate of Melba Anderson. The land is managed as a “Natural Wildlife Area” in
memory of John N. and Melba S. Anderson. The area opened for public use in 2007.
Prior to being deeded to the Missouri Department of Conservation, this farmstead was a
representative example of semi-subsistence agriculture typical of the Missouri Ozarks, growing
crops ranging from grains to fruit and for raising livestock.
Currently, the area is covered by post oak woodlands and old fields. Most of the old fields have
been overtaken by eastern red cedar and provide limited rabbit hunting opportunities. These
areas do support a fair population of deer, turkey, and squirrel and also provide a variety of
nature viewing opportunities.
Current Land and Water Types:
Land/Water Type
Acres
% of Area
Woodland
258
76
Old Field/Eastern Red Cedar
83
24
Total
341
100
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Appendix 4. Sizemore CA Area Map
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Appendix 5. Sizemore CA Current Vegetative Map
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Appendix 6. Sizemore CA Area Background
Sizemore Conservation Area was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2003
as part of the estate of Melba Anderson. The land is managed as a “Natural Wildlife Area” in
memory of Pearl G. and John J. Sizemore. The areas opened for public use in 2007.
Prior to being deeded to the Missouri Department of Conservation, this farmstead was a
representative example of semi-subsistence agriculture typical of the Missouri Ozarks, growing
crops ranging from grains to fruit and for raising livestock.
Currently, the area is covered by post oak woodlands and old fields. Most of the old fields have
been overtaken by eastern red cedar and provide limited rabbit hunting opportunities. These
areas do support a fair population of deer, turkey, and squirrel and also provide a variety of
nature viewing opportunities.
Current Land and Water Types:
Land/Water Type
Acres
% of Area
Woodland
168
93
Old Field/Eastern Red Cedar
12
7
Total
180
100
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Appendix 7. Aerial Map of Anderson and Sizemore CAs
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Appendix 8. Topographical Map of Anderson and Sizemore CAs
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Appendix 9. Anderson and Sizemore Memorial Conservation Areas Management Plan
Public Comments
Received during public comment period (April 1-30, 2015):
Even though the focus seems to be on hunting for these two areas, hiking trails should be added.
If nothing else it would give hunters a clear path from the parking lot, but it may also encourage
other visitors.