Chris Vitello Appointed to MCHF Executive Director

At its meeting on August 8, 2013, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF)

Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Chris Vitello as the Executive Director for the Foundation. Mr. Vitello is retiring from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) after 27 years. He worked his way through the ranks of the Department beginning as a Fisheries Management Specialist to Fisheries Management Biologist, Fisheries Regional Supervisor and Fisheries Unit Chief. He has served as the Fisheries Division Chief for the past three+ years before announcing his retirement from MDC. Vitello has worked with MCHF on several projects, including the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund and the recent construction and dedication of a fishing and viewing platform at Bennett Springs State Park. Mr. Vitello is anxious to lead MCHF into a new era, replacing Rick Thom who served as Executive Director of the Foundation since 2007 before retiring on June 30 of this year. The Board did not waste any time finding a replacement as there is much work that needs to be done in conservation efforts across Missouri. MCHF was established in 1997, with its main goal to support the Department of Conservation’s mission of managing and protecting Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources. MCHF works with the Conservation Department and its partners to fund projects that address critical conservation and outdoor recreation needs. He will begin his duties as Executive Director on September 1, 2013.

Missouri Trails Advisory Board will meet July 16

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 14, 2011 – The Missouri Trails Advisory Board will meet Saturday, July 16, to discuss grants for the federal Recreational Trails Program. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks office, 1659 East Elm St., Jefferson City.

            The board will review 28 grant applications for the federal Fiscal Year 2011 grant funding. The board will make funding recommendations to the Department of Natural Resources based on the application’s suitability under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and other federal guidelines. The board will also discuss the status of the Recreational Trails Program funding.

            The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program for trail-related construction, maintenance, restoration and development. In Missouri, Recreational Trails Program funds are administered by the Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

            For more information about the program, contact Bonnie Higdon at 573-751-3442 or atbonnie.higdon@dnr.mo.gov.

4-H National Headquarters and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Honor Louisiana Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach 4-H Program

The 4-H National Headquarters and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
presented the 2011 Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources
Conservation Education Award to the Louisiana State University AgCenter’s
4-H Youth Wetlands Program at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural
Resources Conference being held in Missouri.

The 4-H Youth Wetlands Program has approximately 85,000 students enrolled
in their educational and outreach program in Louisiana. By developing and
distributing wetland education curriculum and teaching materials at no
cost to participating educators, this program strives to implement
wetlands education in the classroom as well as in the field. Students
learn about water quality, invasive species, biodiversity, recreation,
adaptations, wetland lost, and many more pressing wetland topics. Youth
are empowered to contribute ideas and make decisions that will aid in the
recovery of Louisiana’s deteriorating coastline. Since January 2010, youth
participants have installed approximately 50,000 wetland plants across
Louisiana to combat wetland loss.

“The Service is proud to recognize the efforts of the 4-H Youth Wetlands
Education and Outreach Program with the 2011 Connecting Youth with Nature
Award. The program provides an opportunity for Louisiana’s youth to get
outdoors and contribute to projects benefiting fish and wildlife habitats
while gaining exposure to career choices in natural resources management,”
said Jay Slack, Director of the Service’s National Conservation Training
Center.

4-H National Headquarters recently recognized the 4-H Youth Wetlands
Program as a Program of Distinction, which is required for consideration
for this annual interagency conservation award. Programs of Distinction
reflect the highest quality 4-H youth development programs found in
communities across the United States.

The award program was initiated in 1980 to recognize 4-H volunteer leaders
from across the country who assist youth in learning about wildlife and
fisheries conservation and management. The Wildlife Management Institute,
the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Boone and Crockett
Club also support the award program.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others
to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats
for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader
and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our
scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources,
dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more
information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit
www.fws.gov.






Missouri Public Hunting Options

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment on Farming and the Use of Glyphosate-tolerant Corn and Soybeans on National Wildlife Refuge System Lands

Image via WikipediaThe Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is inviting public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment that considers two issues: 1) the use of row crop farming as a technique to manage National Wildlife Refuge System lands in the Midwest Region, and 2) the use of glyphosate-tolerant corn and soybeans on these lands.

CFM to celebrate 75th anniversary the weekend of Sept. 10-12

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Conservation Federation of Missouri anniversary celebrations will include party, wildlife exhibit and commemorative issue of magazine.

JEFFERSON CITY MO – The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) will celebrate its 75^th anniversary the weekend of Sept. 10-12 with an anniversary party Friday night at the Tiger Hotel in Columbia, a wildlife art exhibit at Bass Pro Sportsman’s Center in Columbia Friday through Sunday and a commemorative issue of CFM’s Missouri Wildlife released Friday. 

On Sept. 10, 1935, nearly 100 forward-thinking Missourians gathered in the ballroom of Columbia’s Tiger Hotel to discuss the sad state of Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife. To retrieve their squandered natural legacy, they formed the Restoration and Conservation Federation of Missouri and launched a movement that revolutionized natural-resource management. This citizen-led effort has become Missouri’s oldest and largest private-citizen conservation organization with more than 90,000 individuals and 80 affiliated organizations.

CFM members and guests will return to the founding location to enjoy a celebration party Friday night at the Tiger Hotel, 23 S. Eighth St. in Columbia. Evening festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. and include social time, dinner and prominent speakers including Bill Crawford, the only known living participant from the founding meeting in 1935. Seating is limited and tickets are $100. For reservations or more information, call CFM at 1-800-575-2322.

The State Historical Society of Missouri will open the weekend activities with the art exhibition Charles Schwartz, Missouri’s Audubon: An Artist in Nature on Friday from 3-8 p.m. at Bass Pro Sportsman’s Center, 3101 Bass Pro Drive in Columbia. A wine and cheese reception, guided tours, and remarks from art, history, and conservation specialists will be part of the events. The cost is $10 per person and can be paid in advance or at the door. 

The exhibition will showcase highlights of the Society’s collection of more than 500 drawings and studies by the late Charles Schwartz. Schwartz was a long-time biologist, artist and photographer for the Missouri Department of Conservation who captured people and wildlife in oil, watercolor, pen and ink, charcoal, scratchboard and bronze. Most of his nationally renowned artworks belong to the State Historical Society of Missouri or Conservation Charitable Trust.

The exhibition will remain on display at Bass Pro through Sunday. Children and adults can enjoy free educational and art activities on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The exhibition will then move to the Historical Society at 1020 Lowry St. in Columbia, where it will remain through Feb. 12.

For more information on the art exhibit, contact Dr. Joan Stack, Art Curator for the State Historical Society of Missouri, at 573-882-7083.

The CFM will also issue a commemorative issue of its Missouri Wildlife magazine at the Friday events. The special issue will include personal notes on their dreams for the Missouri outdoors from numerous contributors. Additional contributions will be featured on the CFM website at www.confedmo.org and published in future issues of the magazine.

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