MDC Adds a Platte County MRAP Partner

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Platte Land Trust are partnering to offer public access to the Charlotte Sawyers Nature Area west of Parkville. The Land Trust is opening the Sawyers property to visitors under MDC’s voluntary Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program, also known as MRAP. Under the program, private landowners open property for specified uses in exchange for financial incentives.MRAP funding is supported by a USDA Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program grant.

The 20-acre Sawyers property is open for wildlife viewing and walks to see native plants changing through the seasons. The property is named for Charlotte Sawyers, who donated her wooded, hillside farm for the public to enjoy nature. Platte Land Trust volunteers have worked to improve wildlife habitat, restore native species, reduce invasive species, and develop hiking paths. MDC has assisted with management plans. The acreage provides a close-to-home place for a nature hike in the Kansas City metro area, especially in Platte County.

MRAP will help Platte Land Trust meet strategic plans that call for more public use of the Sawyers property, said President Carla Dods. Financial incentives received from MRAP will help pay for more habitat improvements.

“Primarily this is to get it open to the public and to get more people out in nature,” Dods said.

The Charlotte Sawyers Nature Area is located at 6075 Union Chapel Road.