Turkey Creek Conservation Area Ten Year Area Management Plan FY 2013 - 2022 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan #:# Page 2 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan Approval Page PLANNING TEAM Kyle Hedges, MDC Wildlife Management Biologist Derek Fmwell, MDC Conservation Agent Jean Mayer, MDC Outreach and Education Adam Boman, MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Stan Sechler, MDC Private Land Conservationist Brice Kelso, MDC Resource Forester Rhonda Rimer, MDC Natural History Biologist SOUTHWEST REGION Andy Austin, SWRCT Chair l-2--3\ - (~ Signature Date WILDLIFE DIVISION Joel Porath, Wildlife Division Management Chief 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 3 OVERVIEW  Official Area Name: Turkey Creek Conservation Area, #6526  Year of Initial Acquisition: 1989  Acreage: 160 total acres  County: Cedar  Division with Administrative Responsibility: Wildlife Division, Southwest Region  Division with Maintenance Responsibility: Wildlife Division, Southwest Region  Statement of Purpose: A. Strategic Direction Turkey Creek Conservation Area (CA) is managed to enhance and restore the woodland natural community landscape and the wildlife it supports. B. Desired Future Condition Turkey Creek CA is managed as a Sandstone Upland Post Oak Woodland. The desired future condition is woodland consisting of canopy trees with a basal area of 40-60 square feet per acre and a diverse flora of characteristic shrubs and herbaceous plants. C. Federal Aid Statement This area, or a portion thereof, was acquired with Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration funds to restore and manage wildlife, conserve and restore suitable wildlife habitat and provide public access to hunting or other wildlife-oriented recreation. GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS I. Special Considerations A. Priority Areas: Priority Forest Landscape B. Natural Areas: None II. Important Natural Features and Resources A. Species of Conservation Concern: Species of conservation concern are known from this area. Area Managers should consult the Natural Heritage Database annually and review all management activities with the Natural History Biologist. B. Caves: None C. Spring: None III. Existing Infrastructure  1 parking lot 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 4 IV. Area Restrictions or Limitations A. Deed Restrictions or ownership considerations: None B. Federal Interest: Uses of land acquired with federal funds may not interfere with the purpose for which it was acquired. Federal funds may also 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. C. Easements: None D. Cultural Resource Findings: No known cultural resources. E. Hazards and Hazardous Materials: None observed. F. Endangered Species: None observed. G. Boundary Issues: None MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS V. Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Create/maintain woodland habitat in order to increase the diversity of both flora and fauna. Management Objective 1: (Wildlife) Develop woodland on west half of the area. Strategy 1: Conduct prescribed burns on a 3 to 5 year rotation. Strategy 2: Conduct timber thinning as necessary if fire is not adequately reducing the basal area to desired levels after three prescribed burns. VI. Aquatic Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) The area is located within Turkey Creek watershed, which drains into the Sac River. Aquatic features include segments of four first order streams totaling 0.95 miles in length. Management Objective 1: (Forestry/Fisheries/Wildlife) Maintain riparian and in-stream physical habitat on all area streams, and make improvements as needed. Strategy 1. Identify unstable streambanks and accelerated erosion locations and mitigate as needed. 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 5 Strategy 2. Implement appropriate stream Best Management Practices (BMPs) on all area streams. Strategy 3: Implement woodland restoration and associated management activities in accordance with state forest management guidelines. Strategy 4: Determine how to best implement management activities potentially affecting streams through collaboration between the area manager and the area planning team, utilizing the guidelines as provided in the Watershed and Stream Management Guidelines for Lands and Waters Managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. VII. Public Use Management Considerations Challenges and Opportunities: 1) Turkey Creek CA receives minimal public use. The most intense use occurs during firearms deer season. There are no special considerations necessary for this area. MANAGEMENT TIMETABLE Strategies are considered ongoing unless listed in the following table: FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Terrestrial Resource Management Objective 1 Strategy 1 X X X X Strategy 2 X X X 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 6 APPENDICES Area Background Turkey Creek CA was donated to the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) in 1977 and was used for educational purposes. Due to limited use, and being located far from MU, the area was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1989. The area is located in the Osage River Hills subsection of the Ozarks Highlands. Dry sandstone woodland is the dominant natural community on Turkey Creek, though very small sandstone glade inclusions are also found on the landscape. Dominant overstory trees include post oak, white oak, black oak and blackjack oak. Lowbush blueberry and fragrant sumac are common understory shrubs. The herbaceous plant layer includes little bluestem, poverty grass, dittany and bee balm. Wildlife species associated with this community type include wild turkey, Cooper’s hawk, sharp shinned hawk, summer tanager, Northern fence lizard, and broad headed skink. Current Land and Water Types Land/ Water Type Acres Miles % of Area Woodland 160 100 Total 160 100 Stream Frontage (1st order and above) 0.95 Public Input Summary: The draft Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan was available for a public comment period October 1 - October 31, 2013. The Missouri Department of Conservation received no comments during this time period. References: Watershed and Stream Management Guidelines for Lands and Waters Managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. April, 2009. Maps: Figure 1: Area Map Figure 2: Aerial Map 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 7 Figure 1: Area Map 2013 Turkey Creek Conservation Area Management Plan  Page 8 Figure 2: Aerial Map