Conservation Programs
When you participate in one of the Department's conservation programs, you become a vital part of one of the nation's most respected conservation departments, an agency dedicated to managing Missouri's fish, forest and wildlife resources. Most programs allow participation by anyone; however, some programs are restricted to certain audiences. Read on to learn about how you can get involved with conservation efforts in your area.
Conservation Frontiers: Through activities, this program teaches students to enjoy and protect forests, fish and wildlife. Participants in the program advance through several levels by completing activities and earning points. Home school educators and youth groups, as well as classrooms, can easily incorporate this program into coursework and meeting activities.
Conservation Honors: Thirty-two high school juniors and teacher chaperons investigate the great outdoors through the Conservation Honors Program each year. Participants work with university and conservation staff to investigate fish, forests and wildlife. In addition to classroom instruction, individuals participate in field trips and outdoor recreation activities. Download the Conservation Honors Application Form.
Hunter Education: Teach your youth to be safe, responsible hunters. Missouri Department of Conservation's staff and trained volunteer instructors teach hunter education courses to people across the state. Our programs comply with Safe Schools Act. Students receive training on firearms, proper firearms use, hunting traditions, ethics, conservation, safe hunting practices and hunting responsibilities.
Missouri Forestkeepers: This program helps forest landowners, educators, students, scout troops and others monitor forest health and learn more about this critically important resource. Program volunteers select a plot of trees to monitor and measure yearly. Various training opportunities are available for volunteers.
Missouri Master Naturalist™ is a community-based, adult, natural resource education and volunteer program. Its purpose is to engage Missourians in the stewardship of our state’s natural resources through science-based education and volunteer service. Participants become Certified Master Naturalists by completing a 40-hour course on Missouri natural history, natural communities and wildlife management, and natural resource interpretation.
Missouri Outdoor Families: These programs are special events designed to help families explore nature and master outdoor skills together. Throughout the state, our nature and education centers have developed and identified programs that give you and your kids the chance to support each other as you learn to camp, fish, hunt or float.
Missouri Outdoor Women: This hands-on program offers women (ages 14 and up) fun and exciting opportunities to explore or enhance their knowledge of outdoor skills from expert instructors while in the company of other outdoors-loving women. Workshop offerings include basic fishing, fly fishing and fly tying, canoeing, archery, firearm sports, Dutch oven cooking, nature journaling, orienteering, hiking, and more!
Quail Academy: Each Quail Academy provides hands-on
training in quail management and natural resource conservation for 25 high-school
students and five teachers. Participants learn a variety of conservation
practices and instruction both in the classroom and in the field. In addition
to learning about quail and natural resources, students develop skills
in communicating the conservation message to peers and the community.
Quail
Academy is sponsored by Quail Unlimited with support from the Missouri
Department of Conservation and the University of Central Missouri.
Stream Team: Schools, scout troops, 4-H and FFA chapters--volunteer groups of all kinds--get involved in the Stream Team Program. Your group will have many opportunities for hands-on activities including monitoring water quality, picking up litter, stenciling storm drains, stabilizing stream banks, planting stream-side trees, educating their community and much more. If your group wants to learn more about streams and watersheds, this program is for you.
Conservation Heritage License Plate: When you buy a Conservation Heritage license plate, you are proudly supporting the fish, forestry and wildlife programs of Missouri. More than that, you are also helping our next generation learn how to conserve, manage and use these resources.
Adopt-a-Trail: The Missouri Department of Conservation's Adopt-A-Trail Program is a volunteer program providing opportunities for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to assist conservation area staff by monitoring, maintaining and enhancing trails and trailhead facilities.
