Missouri Conservationist
Written: Jan 22 '06 (Updated Jan 22 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: interesting articles about all parts of the state of Missouri. Fun photos, no ads
Cons: if you aren't a hunter (or are vegetarian/vegan) some things might be disturbing
The Bottom Line: This is a great free magazine for Missouri residents. Learn about nature in your backyard and across the state.
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| artemis8's Full Review: Missouri Conservationist Magazine |
I love reading magazines almost as much as books. I also happen to love nature, so when my neighbor gave me a Missouri Conservationist calendar and told me if I called the number on the back I could get a free subscription to the magazine I did just that.
Missouri Conservationist is free to Missouri residents and $7 a year to those out of state. It is published monthly and is a pretty thin magazine, usually 33 pages each month.
The very first page of each issue is "Vantage Point" which is always written by a different person each month, from some administrators, like of HR of Private Land Services, or the director. They always talk about the dept of conservation and some recent event or specific location that means something to them and that they think should mean something to the reader. They fill up a who page with text with a medium sized photo and I enjoy reading it.
After that is the table of contents, which is easy to read. The next section is called "Reflections" and it has letters written in by readers. Pretty much all of these letters are from Missouri residents and the senders are listed by name and city only (since state is assumed). Sometimes the editors respond to the comments. There is also always some photo sent it, that is always interesting in some way.
Following that is "Ask the Ombudsman". An ombudsman, as defined by webster is, a government official appointed to receive and investigate complaints made by individuals against abuses or capricious acts of public officials. He answers "questions, suggestions, or complaints concerning Conservation Department programs." Questions in this section range from "Do skunks hibernate?" to "Why has the daily limit for trout gone from five to four?" He always gives good detailed responds.
Then come the articles. They cover topics ranging from a new Missouri trout plan, conservation camping, poison ivy, the praying mantis, how to shoot squirrels, deer hunting, following the Lewis and Clark trail, deer management, wild hogs, to books about nature to read with children. The articles are usually a 2-5 pages long each and include some well taken photos. I don't always read all the articles as I am not a hunter or a fisher, but all the ones I've read had been well written, free of typographical errors, and interesting. I would imagine the ones that don't apply to me are of interest to other readers of the magazine, and as the magazine is free I have no qualms about not reading every article.
Outside In is the kids version of the Missouri Conservationist and is published 4 times a year. It is included inside the magazine itself. The contents of one of these includes articles on duck bills and how they show what the bird eats, how a watershed works, what birds you'll find in your neighborhood, and q & a from children.
The last sections of the magazine include "News & Almanac" which is just that, and can have things ranging from the popularity of the youth deer hunts program, to their calendars being on sale for the next year, to a new law stating you can't bring glass bottles in a canoe, kayak, or float tube on Missouri streams.
Also at the very end of each issue is a report from an agent, which I think is like a ranger based on what is written each time. A small cartoon reflecting something about conservationism, a program schedule for tv, an outdoor calendar which lists hunting season opening and closings, and a "Meet Our Contributors" section.
The back cover always has a cool photo of something in nature, like a bald eagle, a fisherman, or some wild onion flowers. I have saved some of these photos and hung them on my cubicle at work.
Overall I enjoy reading this magazine each month. The articles are diverse and there are no ads at all, which is great. The photos can sometimes be beautiful and with each issue I learn something new about the state I live in. If you live in Missouri and enjoy nature and conservation you should get this magazine. Call them at 573-522-4115 x 3856 or go to their website at www.missouriconservationist.org
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
artemis8
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 in Books |
 - Top 500 |
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Member: Karyn
Location: Kansas City, MO
Reviews written: 1286
Trusted by: 183 members
About Me:
I love to read and spend time with my five year old.
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