Bristow Conservation Area was once part of a vast prairie ecosystem that covered more than 1/4 of Missouri. The majority of the native prairie here was plowed or converted in the past to make way for other land uses. Bristow still has 3 native prairie remnants in the northwest portion of the area. Managment practices such as prescribed burning, haying, and other tools to simulate historic disturbances that maintain healthy grasslands and limit the negative impacts of invasive plants, including trees, which were historically uncommon here.
This area contains cropland, grassland, prairie, and some forest and wetlands. There are 3 small, fishable ponds (1 acre total).
From Hwy 71 southeast of Nevada, go 5.5 miles east on Rte K, and .50 mile south on the 2100 Rd.