Matt Bowyer, MDC wildlife regional supervisor, said Dirnberger will also be an asset to the community as a resource to answer wildlife and habitat questions.
Dirnberger earned his B.S. Degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology from Southeast Missouri State University -. After obtaining his degree, he worked part time for the MDC’s Fisheries and Resource Science Divisions in the southeast region before being hired as a resource science assistant in Chillicothe.
In Chillicothe, Dirnberger worked as a crew leader for large river sampling on the Missouri River, supervised staff, and assisted with public events and educational programs. During this time, Dirnberger also produced a report on the growth of sauger that was later published in the American Journal of Fisheries Management.
In 2010, Dirnberger transferred to the MDC’s Wildlife Division and gained experience in the management of wildlife habitats as a resource assistant at Duck Creek Conservation Area. In the last four years, he has worked at Duck Creek carrying out numerous management practices on the wetland and upland habitats.
Over the years, Dirnberger has worked additional assignments doing urban deer surveys, waterfowl banding, dove banding, elk trapping, quail surveys, and swamp rabbit surveys. He has worked hard to obtain additional training in areas that add to his skill set as a manager, including certification as a Missouri Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and burn planner. He has federal certifications as a Fire Fighter Type 2 and is chainsaw certified as a Faller Type A. During his time at Duck Creek, Dirnberger became known for always being one of the first to volunteer to help other districts and divisions in their time of need. He has repeatedly taken advantage of opportunities to cross train with other divisions including working with professional staff in Fisheries, Forestry, Resource Science and Private Lands Divisions.
“This desire to grow professionally as a biologist combined with a strong work ethic, great teamwork, and a broad background of on the ground management and monitoring practices will benefit Dirnberger greatly as a wildlife management biologist,” Bowyer said.
“I am really excited to improve habitat on our conservation areas and work with landowners in the River Hills and Crowley’s Ridge districts,” Dirnberger said.
Dirnberger may be reached at the Perryville Forestry Office at 573-547-4537. He currently resides in Chaffee with his fiancée, Lora Brewer.
The previous record of 6 pounds, 10 ounces was set this spring at Bull Shoals. The new state record is larger than the current world record by more than a pound, but does not qualify because world records only recognize fish taken by pole and line.
For more info on the quillback, visit nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=342.
For more on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.
This section of roadway is located from County Road 351 to County Road 535.
Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
Stoddard County, Missouri - Route Z in Stoddard County will be closed as contractor crews perform bridge approach maintenance.
This section of roadway is located between Route VV and County Road 755.
Weather permitting, work will begin Thursday, Sept. 11 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.
Malden, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation announces a grant that will help bring a new archery range to the City of Malden.
The City of Malden will receive the Conservation Department’s Community Archery Grant. According to AJ Hendershott, the Outreach and Education Regional Supervisor for the MDC’s Southeast Region, the $5,000 reimbursement grant is designed to broaden the availability of conservation opportunities to the citizens of Missouri by helping to increase archery opportunities. He said the grant falls right in line with the Department’s goal to help people discover nature.
“Archery is a safe and family-oriented activity,” he said. “It’s not just that it’s a fun activity, studies have shown how youth that participate in archery show improved academic scores and reduced behavior difficulty, which make this addition a healthy one for any community.”
The City of Malden doesn’t currently have any type of archery facility. Ashley Smith, the office assistant for the city administrator, said the city’s goal is to construct the archery range where the community can engage in outdoor activities while enjoying nature at the Hank Watson Memorial Park. The area is approximately 90 acres of beautiful rolling land covered with pine trees and a winding walking path. A nature area abundant with native wildflowers is in bloom which covers approximately 19 acres of the land.
“We’re hopeful that the development of Hank Watson Memorial Park and the construction of the archery range will attract people of all ages throughout the city and from surrounding communities,” Smith said. “It’s our wish that people will travel from miles around to enjoy and utilize our facilities.”
Smith said the city’s plan is to construct the archery range with eight stations, each with a hanging target on a wooden frame. Two targets will be positioned at 10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards and 40 yards. A roof will be constructed atop each frame to protect the targets from weather and to increase longevity.
“From the conservation perspective, we’re pleased this grant will help a community move along with their plans to provide more nature experiences to their community,” Hendershott said, adding that he hopes more communities, or even schools and universities, will consider applying for the grant in the future.
“Archery is a simple and rewarding sport to pick up, plus it allows you spend more time outdoors which is good for all of us,” he said. “It’s an incredibly safe sport with related injury numbers so low it’s the second safest sport behind table tennis.”
Smith said the Park and Recreation Board is in the process of ordering equipment for the range, which is projected to open to the public in the spring of 2015.
For more information about the new archery range in the City of Malden, contact City Hall at (573) 276-4502. For more information about opportunities to discover nature through archery, go online to mdc.mo.gov.
