Missouri Department of Conservation Annual Report 2011 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

Forestkeepers

The Missouri Forestkeepers Network is a volunteer, self-driven network of people interested in forests and forest monitoring. More than 2,400 individuals, groups and organizations were enrolled in the program in FYll. Members contrib-

uted 17,933 hours of volunteer time that can be valued at $373,903 using the Independent Sector's value for volunteer time.

In FYll, Missouri Forestkeepers Network focused efforts in outreach to members to provide technical information, presenting annual awards for outstanding volunteer efforts and expanding the Heritage Wood program launched summer 2010. The Heritage Woods program was developed to appeal to landowners who are not interested in or not eligible to participate in other recognition programs. In FYll, 69 applications were received and 66 landowners enrolled in the free program.

Fire-suppression training

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 477 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.

Discover Nature Schools

Discover Nature Schools helps teachers engage students in hands-on, outdoor, place-based learning. In 2011, more than 78,000 Missouri children were connected with nature through various Discover Nature Schools instructional units and grants. Thus far, 95 school districts adopted the elementary habitats unit, 115 districts taught the middle-school aquatic unit and 24 districts adopted the high school ecology unit. An additional 76 schools engaged students in learning about Missouri's fish, forest, wildlife or natural habitats through our Conservation K-3 Field Trip Grant. This year a kindergarten through second-grade unit was completed, and a pre-kindergarten unit is in development.

Along with student books and teacher guides for each unit, we provide grants for exploration equipment, outdoor classroom materials and field experiences. Conservation grants supporting Discover Nature Schools totaled $268,909 and provided multiple opportunities for students to enjoy and learn about nature in nature.

34 2010-2011 MDC Annual Report

Citizens enjoying nature

More than 850,000 visitors explored the trails, programs and exhibits at our conservation nature and education centers throughout the state. Discover Nature programs for women and families provided special opportunities for Missourians to learn new ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Natural communities

In FYll, MDC published the book Discover Missouri Natural Areas—A Guide to 50 Great Places. The 2011 Missouri Natural Areas Newsletter is also available on MDC's website. Both of these outreach efforts promote the natural areas program and the conservation of natural communities to both citizen conservationists and partner agencies and organizations. In addition, in FYll the Missouri Natural Areas Committee hosted the 37th annual Natural Areas Conference held in Missouri on Oct. 26-29, 2010. This national conference brought together 400 conservation biologists, natural area managers, academicians and students to discuss and learn about the latest in natural community

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