Wildlife Thrives Thanks to MoDOT Workers

              HANNIBAL - The wild turkeys, squirrels, deer, raccoons and other wildlife around the Missouri Department of Transportation's district office in Hannibal are thriving thanks to some generous and creative efforts by the workers there.

              A group of General Services employees in MoDOT's Northeast District routinely collects donations from co-workers to buy shelled corn to feed the local wildlife.   They've even gone one step further and built a mechanical feeder to dispense the goodies to the animals.   The result is a thriving wildlife population on the approximately 120 acres of land surrounding the MoDOT headquarters at 1711 Route 61 South.  

              This is the third winter employees have contributed to the feed fund.   The workers usually pass the hat in November when it starts to get cold and the wildlife is in need of a little extra nourishment.   When the feed supply runs low, workers have a chance to chip in again.

              "I visited the Northeast District office on Dec. 17, and was impressed with its scenic setting," said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn.   "I was even more impressed when I learned our MoDOT workers were personally contributing funds to help feed the wildlife and create a protective environment for the area's animals."

              Kurt Groenda, the district's general services manager, said the feeder turns on at 8 a.m. every morning and dispenses shelled corn for about 30 seconds.

            "I think the animals would like for us to have it turned on all day, but that would get a little expensive," Groenda said.

            Groenda said the district employees are also hoping to work with the Department of Conservation this spring to develop natural food plots on the property, which supports natural vegetation and only gets a mowing from time to time.

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