The Mark Twain National Forest recently completed a Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title II-funded project that replaced aging wooden fencing at the Caney Day Use Area along the Glade Top Trail with a new, long‑lasting metal perimeter designed to protect one of Missouri’s most unique natural glade ecosystems. The site is about 33 miles southwest of Ava and 9 1/2 miles north of Gainesville.
The project, recommended by the SRS Eleven Point Resource Advisory Committee, replaced about 600 feet of deteriorated wooden fencing that had stood on site since the 1980s. It was prioritized for its strong public benefit, long-term durability and essential role in safeguarding a fragile glade environment visited by thousands each year.
The new metal fence mirrors the design style of the previous enclosure but provides a significantly longer lifespan and better resilience against weather, fire and physical impacts, said officials. A designated walk-through opening allows for easy visitor access. Metal construction also ensures the fence can withstand prescribed burns or unexpected wildfire activity — an important consideration in managing designated natural glade habitat.
The Caney Day Use Area sits atop a dolomite and limestone glade along the 23‑mile Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway. First constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, the trail follows narrow ridgetops and features multiple overlooks offering sweeping views from the Springfield Plateau to the distant Boston Mountains of Arkansas. This landscape supports more than 500 native plant species, including several found only in Missouri’s glades, and provides habitat for wildlife such as monarch butterflies, greater roadrunners and the American smoke tree.
By preventing vehicle intrusion, which was previously noted whenever the old fencing failed, said officials, the new fence reduces soil compaction, protects rare vegetation and preserves the natural glade structure that sustains diverse plant and wildlife communities.
