Federal grant available for Missouri land rights to protect endangered species

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking landowners in watershed areas of southwest Missouri with endangered cave fish, crawfish and grotto salamanders in underground caverns on their property.

The department has a $300,000 federal grant to partner with the Ozark Regional Land Trust to buy development rights of land tied to caves where the endangered species are known to live.

To get full federal funding, the grant requires $100,000 in matching funds from the state agency, private groups or a donation by the landowner.

Regional Land Trust executive director Ted Heisel says the program is voluntary, and landowners retain ownership of their property.

The land can also be used for agricultural purposes with restrictions aimed at preserving the caves.