|
|
|
|
|
|
Since 1997, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has provided more than $11 million for conservation and outdoor recreation. In 2011 alone, we funded over 30 projects totalling $1.3 million. |
|
Donations Support Girls Outdoor Camp as it Expands to St. Louis Region
The Missouri Girls Exploring Nature is a three day camp run
 | |
Participants learn archery skills from MDC volunteers |
by the Conservation Agents in Missouri Department of Conservation's Northeast Region. This popular camp introduces a variety of outdoor skills to young ladies between the ages of 11-15. Participants also complete the Hunter Education course. Instruction is designed to provide fun, hands-on training in an environment with their peers. This and quality instructors encourage the girls to try new things. MDC will host two camps this year, with a new one added in the St. Louis region. In the last four years, 195 girls have attended the camp. Camps are packed with exciting training, events, and new experiences. The girls learn water safety, canoeing, map and compass, camping survival skills, conservation management and ethics, archery, firearms use and safety, swimming, fishing, and fish and wildlife identification. They race canoes, shoot .22 rifles, walk a "shoot-don't shoot" safety trail, get checked by a Conservation Agent, and catch and clean fish. Evenings are also loaded with fun events and challenges, including a turkey talk presentation, a wild game appetizer, a night hike, swimming, canoe practice, and smores around the campfire.
 | |
Participants from 2009 Summer Camp |
Regional Supervisor Matt Wolken, an organizer of the event, says, "We receive numerous letters and phone calls from the girls thanking us and sharing stories from their first hunts. They use what they learned at camp to enjoy hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. And they make new friends from different towns."Contributions from partners allow these camps to be free to the girls, by paying for the camp, food, supplies, t-shirts and water bottles. MCHF also provided Partnership Grants in 2011 and 2012 and is now soliciting donations for next year's camps. To make an on-line donation, click here and specify MO Girls Camp (northeast, St Louis or both) in the Designation Box or send check to MCHF with your donation specification.
|
A Birthday Gift for a Volunteer Who Gives Back
MCHF recently received a donation from Susan and Bob Powell to honor Alma Dulz, a retired school teacher and longtime volunteer of the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, on her birthday. They asked that the contribution be designated to the Education Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Mrs. Powell retired from MDC but worked with Mrs. Dulz during her tenure. "Alma has had a love for MDC for many years. This is a significant way to honor her on her birthday. Alma became a volunteer because she wanted to give back to MDC for all the valuable information they provided her when she taught." Mrs. Dulz has volunteered for over 20 years and plans to continue. "This was a very special and appropriate gift for my 80th birthday. Anything to keep our plants and animals alive and growing is great," stated Mrs. Dulz after receiving notification of this special gift.
MDC volunteer Aaron Jungbluth, recently made a contribution to MCHF through a program from his
workplace entitled Boeing Company Volunteer Hour Gift Matching. The company's provides $250 for every 25 hours volunteered, to the organization where the employee has donated his time. Mr. Jungbluth asked that his donation go toward MDC's St. Louis Region Girls Explore Nature Camp and Chain of Rocks Bridge Eagle Days.
 | |
MCHF Board Chairman Dave Murphy Presents print to Mrs. Fritz |
A contribution toward the Bennett Spring Fishing Platform project allowed Sandra Tharp Fritz to honor her parents, Westwood and Grace Tharp on a plaque that will be displayed at the site when completed. "We have so many wonderful memories and my parents made so many friends over those years, that I knew I had to do this in their honor." Mrs. Fritz was invited to a luncheon of the MCHF Board and was presented with a Trout Print and Stamp which is provided to donors who contribute $1000 or more toward this project.
The love of nature is so readily displayed by many Missourians who make contributions to MCHF and these are just a few examples of ways to honor people or provide funding toward a specific project or area that is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Follow this link for additional information on Ways of Giving. |
Conservation Grants Awarded to Six School Districts
Through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, The Rural Schools Conservation Fund and MCHF awarded $9,964 in student conservation grants for 2011-12 to southern Missouri schools for student-led environmental projects. The grants were awarded to the following projects:
- $1,325 to Ozark Upper Elementary School to maintain the campus's outdoor classrooms,build a network of trails between them, and complete a Native Missouri Plant Garden.
- $1,573 to Stockton High School's Stockton Teen Empowerment Project (STEP) to help create, maintain a trail network within the community.
- $1,235 to Galena High School for a collaborative effort to create a small food plot on vacant land, as well as use cage and trail cameras to allow students to study and observe local wildlife.
- $1,848 to the Hartville R-II School District to help transform a vacant area on the school's campus into a native flower and vegetable garden, with a goal of eventually contributing to the district food service's Garden-to-School Program.
- $1,983 to the Ozark County Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) to expand the group's citywide recycling program.
- $2,000 to Willow Springs Elementary School to help improve the district's outdoor classroom with a sand sensory box for science classes, picnic tables and planting a fruit orchard for fourth graders, with produce eventually being sold at community events.
|
Bennett Spring Fundraising Update
Since May 2011, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation has been fundraising to build a fishing/viewing platform at Bennett Spring State Park. Organizations and individuals names will be displayed on a bronze plaque at the site, along with other generous donors who gave at least $1000. We truly appreciate every donation - small and large. Donations have been received from many ranging from MCHF Board members, Conservation Commissioners (past and present), anglers, hunting & fishing organizations, businesses, memorial contributions and individuals and families who enjoy Bennett Spring. To make a donation to MCHF or toward this important project, you may use this link to Donate Now. Please state you would like your donation to go towards the Bennett Spring Platform, or you can mail a check to MCHF, PO Box 366, Jefferson City, MO 65102. |
|
|
|
The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization founded in 1997 to help meet financial needs placed on natural resource conservation and conservation-related outdoor recreation.
The Foundation is separate from the Missouri Department of Conservation but supports that agency's mission of protecting the state's fish, forestry, and wildlife resources for all Missourians. We are governed by a volunteer board comprised of conservation, community, and business leaders. By working with Missouri Department of Conservation staff, who partner with conservation groups statewide, we fund projects that immediately address conservation and outdoor recreation needs. Since it was created in 1997, the Foundation has provided more than $11 million for conservation projects. The Foundation receives funding from several sources, including Conservation Heritage License Plate donations; private donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations; and payments to the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund.
The Foundation offers volunteer opportunities and a variety of conservation giving opportunities. If you would like to speak to a Foundation staff person for more information, call 1-800-227-1488. |
|
|
|
|
|
