Conservation department partners with Mineral Area College to remove invasive trees

PARK HILLS, Mo., (KBSI) — The Missouri Department of Conservation has partnered with Mineral Area College to remove invasive Callery pear trees from the campus.

The removal is part of the department’s Community Conservation Cost-Share program, which promotes sustainable development practices and natural resource conservation.

Callery pear trees, native to Asia, present ecological concerns in Missouri, including breaking apart in storms and spreading easily throughout fields and forests.

The project involves removing about 80 trees, grinding the stumps and planting 20-40 noninvasive trees and shrubs.

Cost-share funds are available starting in July, but applications are limited and will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.