The Federation Report
November 20, 2015

In This Issue
Legislative Report
 

We are so proud of the work the Conservation Federation of Missouri, our affiliate partners and so many individual Missouri citizens are collectively accomplishing. The legislative session has ended and great strides were made this year. This article touches on the direction we are heading.

From Our Blog:
 
A Small Owl Spurs
Big Questions
 
Guest Blog By:
Ethan Duke and Dana Ripper (Missouri River Bird Observatory)

 
The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), or NWSO for short, is a tiny, strictly nocturnal owl that breeds in the boreal forests of the northern US and Canada. Their small size (8 inches), coupled with their nocturnal lifestyle and their habit of perching in dense thickets, makes them a fairly difficult bird to find.

MRBO's relationship with this species began in July 2010, when we attended a workshop in Wisconsin entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" and led by Gene Jacobs of Wisconsin. During the workshop he discussed the ecology of this small owl and the methods for trapping it. Gene indicated that very little has been done to study this species in the Midwest south of Wisconsin and Minnesota. No one really knew how far, nor how regularly, the NSWO travels south...

MRBO to Hold Fundraising Event:
World of Dreams
The Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) is undertaking its first major fundraising event. The theme is "World of Dreams." This not only reflects the goals of the organization through conservation pursuits but also promises guests an international experience through dining, entertainment and silent and live auction items.
 
Date: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Location: Marriott Hotel in Downtown Kansas City
Time: 6:30 p.m.
 
MRBO is non-profit organization founded in 2009. Although a young organization, MRBO has been recognized by State and Federal officials as well as independent conservation groups for the quality of their work and their dedication to conservation in Missouri.

For more information or to make a reservation please visit
www. mrbo.org or contact Diane Benedetti at 
 660-815-3288 or diane.benedetti@mrbo.org.
MHHF Hosting Youth Hunter Education Clinic
The Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation (MHHF) welcomes youth and their parents or guardian to participate in one of the following hunter education clinics. Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, a service-oriented, nonprofit federation of volunteer members and affiliates,conduct clinics designed to engage young people and their families in perpetuating our nation's hunting heritage.

Clinics are conducted throughout the year during Missouri's hunting and trapping seasons.

For clinic information and a schedule of upcoming events visit www.mhhf.us. For more information, contact:  Susan Williams, MHHF Executive Director, 816.810.1199 or execdir@mhhf.us.
Congratulations to
Larry Sturgeon
Black Widow Bow Membership Drive Winner
CFM Store
   

I ♥ Clean Water T-shirt
~ $15.00 ~ 

Hunters Don't Shoot Livestock T-shirt
~ $15.00 ~

Other items are available for purchase on the
Happy Thanksgiving
The staff at CFM would like to wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.

CFM is Participating in
#GivingTuesday
CFM is participating in #GivingTuesday this year. If you haven't heard of it, #GivingTuesday is the first Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day celebrates and encourages giving, whether that is through donations, time or services. 
#GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities.
  
This #GivingTuesday, CFM is focusing on raising funds for conservation education. This includes fundraising for the Missouri Collegiate Conservatin Alliance (MCCA). Donors can help with costs associated with advertising, branding and website design and press relations. Help MCCA instill in college students a lasting appreciation of conservation. Follow CFM on social media for updates.
 
Read our #GivingTuesday blog post HERE.

       

Support the Conservation Federation of Missouri Through AmazonSmile
 
Shop through AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to CFM.

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know with the same product, same prices and same services. Support CFM while you do your holiday shopping now.

CFM Annual Convention
March 18-20, 2016
  
Please make plans to join us March 18-20, 2016 at our 80th CFM Annual Convention in Jefferson City at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. We are making preparations for our biggest and best convention ever. 
 
Each year many businesses, affiliates and individuals contribute to our success by underwriting part of our costs for the weekend. We are deeply grateful for this incredible generosity. If you are planning to attend and have any items for our auction please get them to us at your earliest convenience. This will allow us time to plan for their effective use.  
 
So, mark your calendar, and plan to join us as we celebrate conservation at our annual convention. 

CFM Remembers
LeRoy Braungardt
Mr. LeRoy D Braungardt, 76, of Moscow Mills, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at his residence.  He was born on September 10, 1939 in Moscow Mills to Julius and Lillian (Miller) Braungardt.  LeRoy attended the local schools and began dating his sweetheart, Bonnie Sue Kirchner in high school. They were married on December 21, 1957 at the First Christian Church in Troy.  They were blessed with three children: Tina, Musial Dale and Renee. 
When the children were young, LeRoy became involved in the Khoury league as a baseball coach for his son's teams, and also coached many softball teams, and was their 4-H leader.
 
LeRoy worked at Cuivre River Electric for 22 years.  During these years he met Owen Turnbull who was instrumental in encouraging LeRoy to become very active in conservation work.  LeRoy became past president of the Lincoln County Wildlife Club and Chairman of Deer and Wild Turkey for the Missouri Conservation Federation.  In 1972, he was the National Wild Turkey Calling Champion and also that same year was Chairman of the Lincoln County fair.  LeRoy was the first person to bag a wild gobbler with a bow and arrow since the Indians in the state of Missouri.  After working at Cuivre River Electric, he became involved in politics and was elected State Representative 1978-1985.  As a result of his lifelong love for outdoors, serving as a Freshman in the House of Representatives, Leroy was awarded Conservationist Legislator of the year.  LeRoy's sincere interest in each individual he meant created relationships that lasted a lifetime.  The Troy Kiwanis Club named him man of the year. Later in life, LeRoy's love of the outdoors continued as he pursued transactions associated with his real estate brokers license. The conservation projects he led will provide value to hunters and naturalists for many years to come.
 
LeRoy's compassion for those less fortunate led him to becoming a board member of the Northeast Community Action Corporation (NECAC) (Social Services) for the past 22 years.  He was most recently installed for his second term as a Trustee of the Board Executive Committee.
 
Surviving are his loving wife of over 57 years, Bonnie Sue Braungardt of Moscow Mills; his children: Tina Braungardt of Davenport, Florida, Musial Dale and wife Cathy Braungardt of Bellflower, Renee Lillian Amelia Moore and Kirk Kaalberg, Bonita Springs Florida; two grandchildren:  Ashley Campbell and husband Hunter Vickers of Davenport, Florida, Colton Dale Braungardt of Bellflower and great-grandson, Campbell Monroe Vickers; sister: Pearl and husband Dulin Harrell of Troy and brother-in-law: Levi and wife Mickey Kirchner of Moscow Mills; many many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings: J.C. Braungardt, Leona Westhoff, Miller Braungardt and Jack Braungardt.

"LeRoy was a world champion caller, among many other achievements. He was most notable for his relentless effort as a member of the Missouri House." stated Conservation Commissioner Dave Murphy. "He crafted, drafted and carried through the General Assembly the original legislation to establish the State Parks and Soils Sales Tax."

Share the Harvest
Help Those in Need
It's that time of year again. The time you wake up before the sun rises to spend hours in a deer blind, waiting for the perfect deer. This year, while you search for that big buck you've been dreaming of, we hope you'll take part in an important program, Share the Harvest.
  
In 2014, thousands of Missourians benefited from another successful year of Share the Harvest. There were 3,961 hunters who donated 212,343 pounds of venison to feed hungry Missourians. CFM expects even greater results this season, and is counting on hunters around the state to participate.
  
For more information on Share the Harvest CLICK HERE.

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80 Years of the Conservation Federation of Missouri