Conservation Federation of Missouri!

A Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors was held on May 28 and May 29, 2009, in Columbia, Missouri. Over 350 Outdoor leaders in Missouri were invited to participate in the event; 148 of the invitees registered.

After listening to presenters from government, non-government organizations, and citizens-and after participating in facilitated small group exercises to explore Outdoor issues, opportunities, and goals-attendees identified and ranked 10 actions that must be taken today to help ensure a quality Missouri Outdoors 75 years from now (in order of priority):

1. Get the message out that quality, healthy Outdoors is essential for life,
2. Conserve plants, animals, and natural communities so that they are diverse, healthy, and resilient,
3. Maintain and pursue stable long-term and short-term funding for Outdoor operations, capital improvements, and special projects,
4. Develop comprehensive "state water plan,"
5. Take somebody with you the next time you go Outdoors; become an Outdoor mentor (this should be our personal and organization commitment),
6. Build stronger connection between the Public and public lands,
7. Establish Governor's Task Force on Future of Missouri Outdoors,
8. Agencies and organizations should assess what Outdoor experiences Missourians value, and respond with relevant, integrated services,
9. Identify and develop mechanisms that keep land in private ownership, and motivate landowners to allow access,
10. Develop state "clean and healthy air plan."

Click here to view the full report.

May 28, 2009 - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon speaks at the Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors held in Columbia. In 4 parts.

Dr. Stephen Kellert speaks at the Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors held in Columbia. He delivered the keynote address on the subject "What need is there for outdoor experience in the lives of 21st century Americans."  He is professor of social ecology at Yale's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Dr. Larry Brown speaks at the Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors held in Columbia.
He is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Geography, University of Missouri-Columbia.

Audio from the Panel Discussion:  Future of Missouri Outdoors

Click to hear the discussion.