Restoring prairies and conducting controlled burns

The Natural Resources/Environmental Division is responsible for preserving the County’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural resources, and creating high-quality outdoor recreation and nature study. Parks staff continued to work this year to manage the County’s beautiful prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands while battling invasive species, such as honeysuckle, throughout the 11,400 acres the department maintains.

In a cooperative agreement working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Great Rivers Greenway, Open Space Council of St. Louis and the Parks Department, staff worked to re-construct 25 acres of native habitat at St. Vincent Park.

Other projects this year include:

• Secured a $23,000 grant from Missouri Department of Conservation for prescribed fire operations and invasive plant removal

• Assisted Forestry with a prescribed burn at Lone Elk Park

• Finalized bid specifications and awarded a three-year contract for prescribed burns