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Home » Play » Outdoor Options » Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas

Bruns Tract

A Bobwhite Quail watches for a danger during the summer month at Hi Lonesome Prairie near Sedalia, MO.

State Highway B and Hope Dale Road
Green Ridge, Missouri 65332

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/bruns-tract

Call Website

Bruns Tract

The once-existing 160 acres of cropland has been converted to native prairie plantings and most of the timber has been removed. The current management efforts are to provide both nesting and brood-rearing cover for prairie chickens and bobwhite quail.

High quality grasslands are important habitat for many species. This area is being managed for grassland diversity that provides habitat for a diverse group of plants and animals. Because less than one-half of one percent of our original prairie remains, some of these species have become increasingly rare.

Area managers use prescribed fire, mowing, and other management practices to maintain healthy grasslands, simulate historic disturbances, and limit the negative impacts of invasive plants.

Quail and other early-successional species are common on this area.

From Green Ridge, take Route B west 3 miles to the intersection with Hope Dale Road.

Bryson’s Hope Conservation Area
Greenridge, Missouri 65332

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/brysons-hope-conservation-area

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Bryson’s Hope Conservation Area

The original 195-acre tract of Bryson’s Hope was acquired by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 2006.  An additional 90 acres was purchased in 2008. This area falls within the Green Ridge Focus Area as identified in the Greater Prairie Chicken Recovery Plan. When acquired, the habitat was intensively
row cropped. Since acquisition, the area has been converted to a variety of cool-season and warm- season grass mixtures. The purpose of this area is to provide optimum nesting and brood-rearing habitat not only for prairie chickens, but also other grassland species.
Recreational Opportunities:
Bird Watching – Fishing – Hunting – Hiking – Wildlife Viewing – Outdoor Photography – Picnicking – Frogging
From Green Ridge, take Route B west 3 miles, then Hope Dale Road south 2 miles.
Drovers Prairie Conservation Area
Ionia, Missouri 65335

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/drovers-prairie-conservation-area

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Drovers Prairie Conservation Area

The Drovers Prairie Conservation area offers bird watching and deer hunting opportunities.

From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south 10 miles, then Highway 52 west 0.50 mile, and Hoffman Road south.

Friendly Prairie Conservation Area
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/friendly-prairie-conservation-area

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Friendly Prairie Conservation Area

Friendly Prairie features unplowed native prairie. More than 260 species of plants have been identified in the area.

From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south 9 miles, then Manila Road west 1.50 miles.

Grandfather Prairie Conservation Area
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/grandfather-prairie-conservation-area

Call Website

Grandfather Prairie Conservation Area

Grandfather Prairie is an 80-acre native prairie remnant named after the Osage Indians’ traditional name for the sun. The area offers birdwatching, prairie wildflower viewing, and deer, quail, rabbit, squirrel, and turkey hunting opportunities.

From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south 8 miles, then Mather Road west 2 miles.

Hartwell Conservation Area
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/hartwell-conservation-area

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Hartwell Conservation Area

The Hartwell Conservation area consists primarily of cool and warm season grass interspersed with trees, mostly Osage orange and Black locust.

From Green Ridge, take Route B west 4 miles to its junction with Route AA, north on Route AA to parking lot.

Kahrs-Boger Park
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/kahrs-boger-park-conservation-area

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Kahrs-Boger Park

The Kahrs-Boger area contains cropland, forest, grassland, old fields, fishable pond (1 acre), permanent stream (Lake Creek).

From Sedalia at the junction of Highway 50/Route M, take Route M south 11 miles.

Kearn Memorial Conservation Area
Greenridge, Missouri 65332

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/w-r-kearn-memorial-conservation-area

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Kearn Memorial Conservation Area

The W. R. Kearn Memorial tract was named for William R. “Ted” Kearn, who donated this 120acre tract in 1987. Management of the area is primarily for upland wildlife species. The terrain is gently rolling open fields. Area managers use prescribed fire, grazing, and other management practices to maintain healthy grasslands, simulate disturbances, and limit the negative impacts of invasive species. High quality grasslands are important habitat for many species.

The W. R. Kearn Memorial Conservation area is being intensely managed for prairie chickens. Crop fields have been converted to native warm-season and cool-season grasses to provide both nesting and brood-rearing cover for prairie chickens. Many species of grassland wildlife, including Northern Harriers, Upland Sandpipers, and Shortear Owls are commonly seen on this area.

Recreational Opportunities:
Bird Watching – Fishing – Hunting – Hiking – Wildlife Viewing – Outdoor Photography – Picnicking – Frogging
Missouri Department of Conservation
2000 S Limit Ave
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/

Call Website

Missouri Department of Conservation

Get hunting and fishing seasons, permits, and regulations. Find places to hunt and fish. Identify wildlife. Improve your pond. Teach kids about nature. Find outdoor events.

Paint Brush Prairie Natural Area
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/paint-brush-prairie-conservation-area

Call Website

Paint Brush Prairie Natural Area

The 74 acres of the Paint Brush Prairie Natural Area offer bird watching and hunting opportunities.

From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south 10 miles, then Manila Road east.

Pinhook Access
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 530-5500
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/pinhook-access

Call Website

Pinhook Access

The 4 acres of the Pinhook Access offer access to Muddy Creek. There is a Pettis County historical marker here commemorating St. Helena, the first Pettis County seat.

From the junction of Highways 50/65 in Sedalia, take Highway 65 north 3.30 miles, then Route HH east 3 miles, then Route EE north 3.80 miles, and Pin Hook Road west after crossing Muddy Creek bridge.

Spring Fork Lake
Spring Fork Lake Road
Sedalia, Missouri 65301

Phone: (660) 826-1234

Call

Spring Fork Lake

About This Area

Spring Fork Lake offers birdwatching and bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish opportunities.

This area owned and maintained by Sedalia Water Department, Sedalia, MO. For more information please contact Sedalia Water Department – 660-826-1234.
This lake is part of MDC’s Community Assistance Program (CAP).
This area includes boat ramp, ADA privy, parking, walkway and floating fishing dock.

Hours of Operation

Area Hours:
Sunday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Monday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Directions

From Sedalia, take Highway 65 south, then Route V east for about 1.25 miles, then Spring Fork Lake Road south, staying east (left) at the T intersection. The lake is on the west (right) about 1 mile farther up the hill.

What to Look For

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Largemouth Bass

Micropterous salmoides

Bluegill

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Resources

Area Map

  • Boat Landing
  • Entry Point
  • Fishing Dock (Disabled Accessible)
  • Managed Public Waterbody
  • Parking Lot
  • Privy (Disabled Accessible)
  • Hiking Trail (Disabled Accessible)
  • Bountry

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Contact

600 East Third Street
Sedalia MO 65301

Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

800-827-5295
cvb@sedaliamo.org

© 2023 Sedalia Convention & Visitors Bureau | A 305 Spin Website

  • Events
    • Submit Your Event
    • Manage Events
  • Fairs & Festivals
    • Downtown Events
    • Missouri State Fairgrounds
    • Scott Joplin Festival
  • Area Attractions
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    • FLAT Cats
  • Stay
    • Hotels and Motels
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  • Dine
    • Restaurants
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    • Specialty Foods
  • Groups & Tours
    • Event Rental Facilities
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  • Sedalia Stories
    • Culture and History
    • Family Fun
    • Katy Trail
    • Weekend Getaway
    • Ragtime Festival