Mark Twain National Forest

Vince Keeler was appointed forest supervisor of the Mark Twain National Forest in July. The forest spans 1.5 million acres across central and southern Missouri.

Two wildfires consumed more than 1,000 acres of the forest on a windy and record-setting 80-degree day in February. The forest’s management plan that includes setting some fires on purpose helped minimize the damage.

Each year, a group of young members of the Cherokee Tribes gets on bikes and retraces the Trail of Tears their ancestors traveled when relocated by the U.S. government almost 100 years ago. They hope to bring more understanding and acknowledgement of the tragic event.

There are hundreds of volunteers who are already helping the Mark Twain National Forest, and there could be more out there. The forest service is looking to find them and better coordinate their efforts.

Dawn Laybolt is new to the Mark Twain National Forest but not the U.S. Forest Service, having served in various roles at a number of forests over the past 13 years.

Doe Run wants to mine more land underneath the Mark Twain National Forest in southeastern Missouri.

Prescribed burns are a yearly occurrence in Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest. Bennie Terrell, a longtime fuel specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, explains how he keeps the blazes in check.

Hunters and trappers believe they are close to having the nuisance animals under control in southern Missouri.

Chronic wasting disease has not affected large numbers of deer in Missouri, but its geographical spread is increasing in the state.

The brown-headed nuthatch is back in Missouri after it was chased out by logging 100 years ago.