Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report 2009 by Missouri Department of Conservation

Author:Missouri Department of Conservation
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Missouri, state government publication

^ Teaching Missourians About Fish, Forest and Wildlife Resources

Internships encouraged diversity, aided students and MDC

Our stewardship of Missouri's fish, forests and wildlife carries the responsibility of sustaining these natural resources not only for current generations, but for future ones, as well. It also carries the need to recognize that future generations likely will represent a vastly different population which reflects many cultures and backgrounds. MDC has a long-standing commitment to understanding the needs of Missouri citizens and accepts the challenge of staying in tune with our diverse stakeholders. One way to remain focused is through various diversity outreach programs.

MDC began its sixth year of an internship program which creates experiences for students in the area of conservation, while addressing recruitment needs of MDC. Objectives are threefold: expose students to a variety of professional tasks and MDC's culture; mentor promising students in disciplines in which job candidates are scarce; and attract students with diverse cultural backgrounds to contribute to MDC's workforce and mission accomplishment. Internships are provided at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and length of internships typically run concurrently with college semesters or summer breaks. Acceptance for an internship requires a minimum of a 2.8

36 2008-2009 MDC Annual Report

GPA for undergraduates and a 3.0 for graduates, and the successful completion of MDC's interview process.

In FY09, 21 male and female students worked in a variety of internship positions, which were diverse in both location and job responsibilities. The students represented 14 colleges and universities and had a combined 3.3 GPA.

Missouri forests aided by volunteers

Missouri Forestkeepers Network— MDC collaborated with Forest ReLeaf of Missouri to support statewide recruitment and coordination of volunteers participating in the Missouri Forest-keepers Network. The Forestkeepers program is a volunteer, self-driven network of those interested in forest and forest monitoring. More than 2,000 Forestkeepers are enrolled in the program, and they worked more than 9,963 hours on a variety of activities.

Wildland fire-suppression training and tlie Midwest Wildfire Training Academy— MDC

supports volunteer fire departments in many ways. One way in particular is by providing annual wildland fire-suppression training to fire departments throughout the state. We conducted 23 sessions and trained more than 655 local firefighters in fire behavior, suppression techniques and safety at no cost to the fire departments or the volunteers. In addition, we also provided instructors and logistical support for the Midwest Wildfire Training Academy held in Jefferson City each year. This academy draws thousands of participants from throughout the state and the Midwest.

More students in nature through Discover Nature — Schools

In 2009, more than 30,600 Missouri children were connected with nature through various Discover Nature Schools instructional units and grants. Seventy-two schools adopted the middle-school aquatic unit, allowing 7,700 to benefit from this engaging, hands-on approach to aquatic education. The elementary unit. Nature Unleashed, was piloted by 21 schools. Nature Unleashed will be available for the 2009-2010 school year. The high-school ecology unit will be piloted during the 2009-2010 school year, and a kindergarten through second-grade unit is in development.

Grants supporting the middle- and elementary-school unit classroom materials and field investigations totaled $114,000.

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