The Roger and Viola Wachal Smith Conservation Area was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1993. It is mostly forest with Turtle Branch steaming through. Although there is no designated trail, it is open to walk in, float in and backpackers.
Hiking and wildlife viewing are good activities in the area and hunting pressure is fairly low.
A cedar harvest was conducted on 100 acres of old field, in order to restore native grasslands and glades back to the landscape. Another 250 acres of woodland has been thinned and burned, in order to improve forest health and wildlife habitat.
The remaining old fields in the middle of the area are being improved through fire, over seeding with native grasses and forbs, and are being treated for invasive species.
The area includes 330 acres of woodland, 70 acres of crop land, 60 acres of native prairie, 50 acres of old field, six acres of glade and a fishless, six-acre pond.
For more information, call 573-815-7900.
Information provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation.