We just fell in love with these White River cedar glades," is what prompted Dick and Esther Myers to look for land to buy in Taney County, Missouri. As a biology professor, first at Central Missouri State University and then at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Dick would use the unique ecosystem of the glade region of southwest Missouri as an outdoor classroom, taking his classes on extended field trips. Esther would often accompany him, sometimes serving as a chaperone, but they always tried to wake the students up to the natural world which surrounded them.
In 1971, after several field trips to the area, the Myers decided they would like to own their own little piece of this unique environment which they had come to love. Their initial plan of purchasing a 40-acre tract was changed somewhat when a local acquaintance told them of 640 acres that was available. Although they didn't particularly want that big a piece of paradise to start off, they changed their minds when they found out that the land would be cleared and converted to pasture if they didn't purchase it. In addition, they found out that by owning this particular tract of land they would be able to protect a large portion of the watershed surrounding Tumbling Creek Cave, a National Natural Landmark.
The Myers were finally able to enjoy their Taney County home full time in 1991 when Dick retired from the National Weather Service, after serving 18 years as perhaps the only biologist the Weather Service has ever had on staff; he served as a teacher and trainer for the Weather Service.
Because several of his former students had gone to work for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Dick knew that there was a source where he could get assistance in managing the natural resources on his property. He turned to the local MDC forester, Mike Hoffman, who helped the Myers design a stewardship plan for their property. Mike was able to bring together additional expertise within MDC so that the Myers stewardship plan addressed not only timber management but wildlife habitat concerns, glade management and restoration, and, because of the unique geological features and the close proximity to Tumbling Creek Cave, water quality issues.
Because of their keen interest in the management of the natural resources found on their property, as well as their love for the outdoors, the Myers are well ahead of schedule in implementing the recommendations made in their stewardship plan. Fencing cattle from the woods, doing some timber harvesting, and installing wildlife food plots was all completed by 1993. Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) has been an ongoing project for the Myers, who have just completed 300 acres. Since this is a partnership, Dick and Esther share the work load. A good example is their TSI project, Dick uses the chainsaw while Esther follows closely behind wielding the stump spray.
As a follow up to the timber harvesting they have seeded the skid trails to help prevent erosion, reseeded some of the harvested areas with shortleaf pine, and developed over seven miles of trails. Other accomplishments include renovation of 14 acres of glades from which they also harvested and sold cedar logs, constructed six wildlife water holes, installed and maintain several permanent food plots and are still in the process of converting some of their fescue fields to native warm season grasses. They also help monitor for gypsy moth by providing trap sites. For several years they have provided lease hunting opportunities during deer season. This has proven so successful that this year, for the first time, they have leased their property for spring turkey hunting.
Not only do the Myers practice good land stewardship, they preach it every chance they get. They have teamed up with the Southwest Missouri Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) and the Missouri Department of Conservation to provide demonstration tours on their property.
