2011

Board Member Bradford Kicks off Bennett Spring Platform campaign Read more >>

Foundation Approves $45,000 in Grants for MO Department of Conservation Projects

At its Board meeting on August 24,2011 the MCHF agreed to fund twelve projects to submitted through its grant process, benefiting conservation throughout the state of Missouri. Read more.

Foundation raising funds for Bennett Spring State Park. The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has begun a campaign to improve fishing and visitor access at a popular spot along the trout stream at Bennett Spring State Park. The project will replace a deteriorating, unsightly concrete-covered bank behind the hatchery headquarters with an attractive 72-foot fishing and viewing platform. “This location below the scenic dam is popular with the public, especially with trout anglers,” noted hatchery manager Mike Mitchell. “The new platform will provide better fishing and viewing access. It will also improve visitor safety and help to stabilize the stream bank.” Up to 180,000 anglers visit the park annually, and many additional visitors come to picnic, camp, hike, and enjoy the scenery along this lovely stream. “The Foundation welcomes the opportunity to help MDC and DNR by securing funds for this park enhancement” says MCHF President Dave Murphy. “We need to raise $45,000. We hope to have the money, and maybe even the new platform, by next year’s trout season opener.” Donors at $1,000 and above will receive a framed print of the 1995 Missouri Trout Stamp signed and numbered by wildlife artist Chuck Witcher. A permanent plaque at the structure will recognize donors at two levels, $1,000 and $5,000 and above. Donate Now or send a check to MCHF, P.O. Box 366, Jefferson City, MO. 65102-0366. Please reference Bennett Spring with your donation or you may.

Fifth Graders Visit Bird Banding Station at Grand Pass Conservation Area

“I have never in my whole life seen the birds that I saw, like a blue jay and yellow warbler” “Our field trip was the best thing I’ve ever been to.” “I like how you put the bird in a tube to see how much it weighs.” “People who band birds are cool.” These are a few of the comments from 5th graders from a Marshall middle school after visiting the Grand Pass Monitoring Station this May. Dana Ripper, director of the Missouri River Bird Observatory (link to MROB website), and her staff treated the kids to a fun and fact-packed experience that included banding demonstrations, bird identification, information on bird habitats, and games about bird migration. Foundation support helped bring the fifth graders to the station and also paid for a biology intern from Missouri Valley College. Read more

Foundation protects Missouri bird habitat in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

Many of Missouri's birds overwinter in tropical habitats in Central America and eastern Mexico.  Long before Cancun and the Riviera Maya became tourist destinations migrant birds from Missouri were using this part of the Yucatan peninsula for migration stopovers and winter habitat. Read more.

Turtle Sculpture Honors Nature Center Volunteers

On April 16 staff at Runge Conservation Nature Center dedicated a bronze sculpture of a three-toed box turtle. The sculpture recognizes the commitment of the center’s volunteers who donate 7,500 hours annually to support conservation education in Jefferson City. Seven hundred people attended the event. “April is volunteer appreciation month, so what better time to dedicate this wonderful sculpture to our volunteers who are our backbone, our heart, and our soul,” stated Kathy Cavender, Nature Center Manager. “Our mission is to connect people to nature. Building strong connections to Missouri's outdoors is imperative for a high quality of life and wise stewardship of our resources. This sculpture will help us accomplish our mission.”

A grant from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, and many private donations, funded the sculpture. About half of those donations came from MDC staff and nature center volunteers. Tom Schulte, a nationally recognized artist, donated most of his time and energy to this project. Tom’s art graces private collections, universities, and state Capitols. Schulte has personal connections to the nature center; three of his children have served as volunteers there. <Read more>

Foundation Awards $40,000 for Projects

At its Board meeting at Lake of the Ozarks on February 25, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation approved three projects benefiting conservation at an amount of $40,000. MCHF approved funding for the following:

Missouri Elk Restoration

The Foundation approved $35,000 for the Department of Conservation (MDC) for trapping, holding, relocating, testing and monitoring elk in early 2011. Funding will help cover costs related to building holding pens in Kentucky and Missouri, feeding, research and monitoring, trapping, transportation and veterinarian supplies. Read more

Rangers of the River

The Foundation approved $1,000 for this outreach program that serves at-risk young men between the ages of 14 and 18. The 30-40 candidates enroll in an intense two- month course which follows a military style regimen of early mornings, hard work, career planning and above all – community service. Last year, MDC staff led the group on a wilderness adventure in the Missouri Ozarks. Funds will help cover the cost of the adventure, which includes canoeing, fishing, and camping on the Current River. See Video

Trail and picnic shelter in Grundy County for Boy Scouts

The Foundation approved $4,000 for the construction of a picnic shelter house and half-mile interpretive trail on property owned by the Grundy County Boy Scouts of America. The property is located southwest of Trenton on Highway 6.
MCHF considers projects that contribute to one or more of MDC’s strategic goals, help promote hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation; promote Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources; improve habitat; engage existing and new partners; and leverage other funds.

Since 1997, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has provided more than $11 million in funding for conservation and outdoor recreation. Follow this link to learn more about MCHF, or to make a tax-deductible donation: Click here

Foundation Welcomes 3 New Board Members

MCHF welcomed three new members to its board at its February board meeting at Lake of the Ozarks.

David W. Erickson of Columbia, earned a Master's degree in wildlife management from Pennsylvania State University in 1977. In 2009, he retired after 33 years with the Department of Conservation. His first job with the Department of Conservation was as a wildlife research biologist working with furbearing mammals. He retired as an assistant director.
Gary Schell of Jefferson City, MO was born in 1945 in St. Thomas, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in business administration in 1968. In 1970, he co-founded Diamond Pet Foods, Inc., in Meta, Missouri, and worked there until retiring in 2007. Mr. Schell is passionately involved in local charities and an advocate for getting young people involved in outdoor activities.
Richard Mendenhall is the fifth generation of his family working in real estate in Boone County since 1894, with three real estate offices and more than 200 agents. In 2001 he served as president for the National Association of Realtors. From 2004–2006, Mr. Mendenhall served as co-chair of the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations, representing more than 28 countries. Read more

MCHF Provides More than $1.35 Million for Conservation in 2010

$2 million gift to Foundation from Mrs. Pat Jones enables purchase of public land in the LaBarque Creek watershed
 
January 27, 2011—Just 30 minutes from St. Louis lies a terrain of sandstone canyons, gorgeous waterfalls, rich plant life, and a stream harboring more than 40 species of fish. This biological wonderland is the LaBarque Creek watershed in Jefferson County, where many conservation partners and landowners have come together to assure long-term protection and public use of this area.

One of the most active partners has been the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, which, since 2004, has provided nearly $1.7 million to purchase land in the watershed for public enjoyment and natural resource protection. One million dollars of this total was part of a $2 million gift donated to the Foundation in 2010 from conservation supporter Mrs. Pat Jones. The Foundation in turn made half of Mrs. Jones’ gift available to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the purchase of 171 acres in the LaBarque Creek watershed. Read more>>