Vote Don Johnson for 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year

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Vote by Jan. 6 at www.Budweiser.com or www.confedmo.org.

By Debra Lee, Conservation Federation of Missouri

CONTACT INFO: 573-634-2322 or dlee@confedmo.org

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are teaming up again to honor four conservationists and award $65,000 in grants for candidates’ conservation projects as part of the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is taking this special opportunity during the holiday season as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors” and gladly championing Don Johnson of Festus for the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year.

Johnson is one of four commissioners of the Missouri Conservation Commission, which is responsible for appointing the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) director, serving as policy makers, approving wildlife code regulations, strategic planning, budget development and major expenditure decisions for the Department. He is also active in the National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Archery in Schools Program and Conservation Federation of Missouri. He is the standard bearer for Missouri conservation.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Johnson has invested his life in conservation projects from wild elk restoration to implementation of the National Archery in Schools Program. Don continually searches for ways to give back to communities. He works tirelessly as a proponent for Share the Harvest, a program of the CFM and MDC that provides food for the hungry, helps manage the deer herd and promotes greater awareness of the many contributions to society made by hunters. Don is an enthusiastic hunter and angler with true heart, a fantastic standard bearer for conservation! His commitment and perseverance to conservation work can be honored with your vote.

In addition to his dedication with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited, Don was president of the CFM from 2006 until his appointment to the Missouri Conservation Commission in 2007. He served as CFM’s president and held the posts of second and first vice president. He has chaired both the Ways & Means and Executive committees and served on many resource committees. His leadership has shaped much of what CFM is today. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University in Washington D.C.

Following college he served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 130 combat missions in Vietnam and earning four Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

The annual Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions through their volunteer activities to the outdoors and conservation. Each year a committee selects four conservationists as finalists from dozens of outstanding nominees.

Online voting runs through Jan. 6. Each person may vote one time and must enter his or her date of birth.  Adult consumers over 21 from across the country vote for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year in an open-ballot process at www.Budweiser.com. People can also vote through www.confedmo.org and follow the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year link found on the home page. Also visit the Conservation Federation of Missouri Facebook page and “like” and “share” the link there.

Related articles

• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Conservation Action October 2011 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• MDC celebrating 75 years of conservation in Missouri (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)
• MDC to seek elusive answers about ruffed grouse (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

Bring your ideas to an open house June 25 at Ha Ha Tonka State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 15, 2011 – The public is invited to bring their ideas to an open house on Saturday, June 25, at Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton.  The event, which will also include demonstrations and activities, will start at 1 p.m. at the park visitor center and is open to the public.

 The open house will include demonstration and other family fun activities that are part of our state park’s statewide effort to participate in the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout and Children in Nature Challenge initiative. Demonstrations include grass weaving, Dutch oven cooking and campfire building. Activities include an orientation program, a chance to look at animal pelts and use animal tracks. Everyone will get to enjoy s’mores around the campfire. 

            During the open house, park staff will highlight recent accomplishments, the success and projects of the State Parks Youth Corps at the park, and future projects.

            The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its services.  The open house is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites. 

            Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located five miles southwest of Camdenton off U.S. Highway 54 on Highway D.  People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park at 573-346-2986 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).  For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Join the fun at the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 15, 2011 -- Enjoy a night of old-fashioned fun under the stars with your friends and family June 25 during the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks.

            The Great American Backyard Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to reconnect and experience the outdoors. To help you celebrate, almost 20 Missouri state parks are offering special programs and activities to make this night one to remember.

            "The Great American Backyard Campout is one way we can encourage kids and entire families to get outdoors and experience all the fun you can have in nature. Once you experience a night around the campfire enjoying s'mores, we know you will come back again and again and make it a family tradition," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.

            Activities will vary from park to park and programs range from camping and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations to music and storytelling. Programs will appeal to all ages, including kids who may be experiencing nature for the first time. All parks will offer a camping tradition -- sitting around a campfire and making and enjoying s'mores. Some programs are offered for the day and other parks offer overnight camping. Registration is required for some programs so call the individual parks or visit mostateparks.com for more details. 

            Following are the parks and historic sites participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout.

·        Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock.

·        Sam A. Baker State Park, Piedmont.

·        Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood.

·        Crowder State Park, Trenton.

·        First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles.

·        Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton.

·        Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve.

·        Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Jefferson City.

·        Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook.

·        Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.

·        Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster.

·        Meramec State Park, Sullivan.

·        Montauk State Park, Salem.

·        Pomme de Terre State Park, Hermitage.

·        Roaring River State Park, Cassville.

·        Table Rock State Park, Branson.

·        Harry S Truman State Park, Warsaw.

If you are not planning to go to a state park with a special program on June 25, visit any Missouri state park this summer and begin your own campout tradition with family and friends.

            For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.