Missouri State Parks

by Tom UhlenbrockMissouri State ParksPINEVILLE, Mo. – One of the first white men to explore the rugged Ozark hills of the far southwest corner of Missouri described it well.“A tall, thick and rank growth of wild grass covers the whole country, in which the oaks are standing interspersed, like fruit trees in some well-cultivated orchard, and giving to the scenery the most novel, pleasing and picturesque appearance.”Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who visited the area in 1819, was describing a landscape... Read more »

by Tom UhlenbrockWEST ALTON, Mo. – Right on cue, V-formations of migrating waterfowl flew in from the north as Patricia Hagen looked out from a wall of windows at the Audubon Center at Riverlands.“Oh look, white pelicans!” said Hagen, who is executive director of the new $3.3 million bird-watching facility. “People know about the eagles, but they don’t know about the pelicans and the trumpeter swans that come here.”The National Audubon Society partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in... Read more »