Tree plantings, forestry maintenance, cost-share program combine to protect water quality, increase wildlife habitats

Cost-share funds are now available to landowners within 17 counties in eastern Kansas and Western Missouri through the "Kan-Mo Bi-State Marais des Cygnes Targeted Watershed Grant Program."

To kick the program off, landowners will have the opportunity to tour a completed tree planting project at the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and learn from local experts on the benefits of improving forested areas along streams during a Free Forestry Field Day, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 13.

The Forestry Field Day will highlight a new tree planting, completed in 2007. The tree planting was a coordinated effort between the Marais des Cygnes Riparian Forestry Initiative and the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge.

The event features:

* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Tim Menard who will discuss the completed tree planting project;

* Marais des Cygnes Watershed Forester Ryan Neises will provide information on proper tree planting methods;

* Missouri Department of Conservation Private Lands Conservationist Scott Sudkamp will discuss managing riparian areas for water quality improvement and the riparian-wildlife connection;

* Lesley Rigney, Marais des Cygnes Targeted Watershed Program Specialist, will provide an overview of the cost-share programs aimed at increasing and

improving riparian forests throughout the Marais des Cygnes Basin, and specifically the forestry cost-share program available through the Kan-Mo Bi-State Targeted Watershed Grant.

Marais des Cygnes Watershed Forester Ryan Neises said this cost-share program is unique.

"A local group of landowner-volunteers developed the criteria and practices for this program based on local needs and priorities," Neises said. "The result is that we are able to provide forestry practices that aren't available in any other cost-share program that are very important for improving water quality."

The field day starts at 1 p.m., on the Refuge grounds, 2 1/2 miles south of Highway 52 on State Line Road.

This is a free event, sponsored by the Kan-Mo Bi-State Targeted Watershed Grant. The field day will take place rain or shine.

In the event of extreme inclement weather it will be moved indoors to the Linn County Fairgrounds in Mound City (on Highway 7 just north of the Little Sugar Creek).

Pre-registered participants will be notified before 11 a.m. in the case of inclement weather changes.

Please call (913) 219-3566 or (913) 829-9414 for more information and to register for the field day.

The 17 Marais des Cygnes River Basin Counties include all or portions of: Barton, Bates, Cass and Vernon, in Missouri; and Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Linn, Lyon, Miami, Osage, and Wabaunsee in Kansas.