Protecting sandstone glades and woodlands
By Abigail Lambert, OLT River Stewardship Manager
Not far from Onondaga Cave State Park in Crawford County, MO, the Edith Miller Conservation Easement protects 120 acres in the Meramec River watershed.
Edith’s donation in 2011 enabled the protection of this beautiful and important sandstone glade and woodlands that contribute to the broader conservation goal of maintaining the ecological integrity of the Meramec River watershed.
I was initially reluctant to do this project, as it lacked river frontage, seemed relatively small and uninteresting, it lacked needed funding, and was a distance from my focus area of Huzzah Creek. And then I visited the property … and was bewitched.
Every spring flower was in bloom, including dutchman’s breeches, bird’s foot violet, wild hyacinth, and many more. Then I came upon the showpiece, an outstanding, prehistoric-looking sandstone glade with water running through it from recent rain. I had never seen anything like it.
On a second trip, I saw many more wildflowers in bloom, prickly pear, numerous box turtles (my favorite animal), including a mating pair, and a gorgeous spotted orb-weaver spider and its web. I knew that we had to help protect this property and the landowner, Ted Heisel, and MDC partnered to ensure protection of this jewel.
Left to Right: Abigail Lambert, Edith Miller and Ted Heisel