Updated Guidelines for Accessing Bradford Farms for Birdwatching

by Edge Wade, Missouri Birding Society and Columbia Audubon Society

Bird Watching Uses and Expectations
at the Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (CM-REEC)

https://moaes.missouri.edu/central-missouri-research-extension-and-education-center/

Eleven properties totaling 7,200 acres in Central Missouri.

Baskett Forest, Bradford Research Farm, DeLine Community Research Site, Duley-Miller Erosion Plots, Foremost Dairy, Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm, Rocheford Turkey Research Farm, Sanborn Field, Sorenson Estate, South Farm, and Beef Research and Teaching Farm.

  1. Drive Slowly. Speed limit is 15mph, unless designated otherwise.
  2. Drive only on paved or graveled road surfaces.
  3. Do not enter research fields – planted, cropped, or tilled.
  4. Park only in designated areas (see map).
  5. Post some form of car designation/ID that is recognizable and identifiable with a specific member and organization*.
  6. Wear closed toe shoes and long pants.
  7. Do not feed any animals.
  8. Do not touch animals.
  9. Do not enter any fields with a closed gate.
  10. Do not enter any buildings.
  11. Always yield to, and move immediately out of the way, of farm equipment.
  12. Not following expectations will result in lost privileges for individuals.

*With the knowledge and approval of Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center director, Dusty Walter, the Missouri Birding Society is establishing a registry on the MBS website https://mobirds.org/.  A numbered hang tag will be mailed to birders who agree to adhere to the CM-REEC rules.

MBS will mail the hang tag free to applicants who indicate acceptance of the rules.  Membership in MBS or any other birding organization is not required.  The tag is specific to the individual, not a particular vehicle.  Behavior of additional birder(s) present is the responsibility of the tag holder and rule 12 applies to all.

MBS will alert the birding community through a variety of venues as soon as the registry is in place. Meanwhile, please do not attempt to access these properties.