Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, on the Missouri River floodplain, southwest of Columbia, is renowned as a birdwatching destination (as per many of my past posts) and recognized as a model project for natural wastewater management. Many mammals also reside at the refuge, including river otters.
Unfortunately, the vast wetlands at Eagle Bluffs are gradually transitioning to crop fields, a disturbing development for those of us who care about protecting natural ecosystems. Small parcels of corn or soybean seem reasonable, especially as food sources for wildlife and migrant waterfowl, but this floodplain refuge is slowly but steadily converting to farmland, reminiscent of the Great Plains.
Perhaps I am overreacting to a grand management scheme but the change has become painfully obvious. One wonders whether the city needs money generated by the crop production. As for the loss of wetlands, what else is new?
