(JEFFERSON CITY, MO, Jul. 24, 2025) – The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) is honoring five champions of conservation at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards held Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Mo.
Rick & Lotsie Holton, of St. Louis, are the Sustaining Sponsor of the event. Lotsie Holton is a seventh-generation descendant of Captain William Clark, and both Rick and Lotise are lifelong conservationists and philanthropists, receiving a Lewis & Clark award in 2021.
The awards presented recognize conservation and outdoor leaders for their appreciation and advancement of our natural resources in Missouri and beyond. The 2025 National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards honorees are:
- Peter W. Busch
- Peter Wyse Jackson
- Sara Parker Pauley
- Bob Brinkmann
- Great Rivers Habitat Alliance
“This year’s honorees provide prime examples of inspirational conservation leaders in a community, dedicated to getting their hands dirty and doing the necessary work to conserve natural spaces,” said Will Coates, president of the MCHF Board of Directors. “The 2025 honorees represent leaders in business, philanthropy and conservation. Join us on September 18 as we recognize these champions and their incredible commitment to conservation.”
Peter W. Busch, founder of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, will be honored with the Corps of Discovery National Conservation Award. This award is the highest honor given by MCHF for leadership in conservation at the national level. The award is bestowed to an individual based upon exemplary service, inspiration and commitment to benefit the conservation cause.
Busch’s passion for wildlife and environmental education, conservation and preservation is national and vast in scope. From making a strong impact on Florida’s native wildlife at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary to sharing the history, wildlife park and storied architecture of Grant’s Farm, he has helped multiple conservation and preservation efforts in Florida, Missouri, Montana and beyond. These efforts have brought more opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting our wildlife and natural resources, inspiring current and future generations.
Peter Wyse Jackson, President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, will receive the Missouri Legacy Conservation Award. This award recognizes an individual who shows exemplary leadership, commitment and service to the conservation cause in Missouri.
Jackson’s dedication and influential leadership in the development and implementation of plant conservation policies, strategies and projects, has named him of the world’s foremost and best-known botanists and plant conservationists. He has shared his passion and knowledge as lead author of the International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation and served on the board of numerous botanical, conservation and horticulture organizations around the world, including serving as chairman of the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation.
Additionally, Jackson’s commitment to plant conservation is evident by his work at the Missouri Botanical Garden where he established a seed bank and conservation genetic laboratory and launched international programs in ecological restoration, rare plant propagation, conservation biology and genetics and more. Starting from the ground up, Jackson is leaving a legacy ensuring the future of our natural environments, resources and wildlife are preserved.
Sara Parker Pauley, former Director, and first woman Director, of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), will be honored with the Governor’s State of Missouri Conservation Award. This award is hand-selected by the Governor of Missouri and goes to an individual who reflects the spirit of conservation, shows outstanding leadership and has positively contributed to conservation principles and programs in Missouri and beyond.
Pauley’s visionary leadership as a former MDC Director for seven years, and now as a board member, advisor and volunteer for various other conservation-related organizations and projects shows her commitment to advancing conservation in Missouri. Additionally, her support and ambition to help create the public/private partnership between MDC, MCHF and the University of Missouri for the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems has been invaluable for ensuring the future of Missouri conservation.
Pauley’s life-long contribution to conservation and unwavering drive in preserving our most precious natural resources, wildlife and environments has provided ongoing and new opportunities for people to appreciate our natural world.
Bob Brinkmann, founder and Board Chair of Brinkmann Constructors, will be awarded the Pat Jones/Spirit of the Wilderness Conservation Award. This award goes to an individual who has dedicated their life to the promotion, protection and service of wilderness and natural resources throughout Missouri. The award is in honor of York, a pivotal contributor to the success of the Lewis & Clark Expedition and in honor of Pat Jones, spouse of Edward “Ted” Jones, for the dynamic role she has played in conservation in Missouri. Pat Jones was the first recipient of the award in 2016 and her name was added to it in 2017.
Brinkmann’s dedication to the outdoors and preservation of our nation’s history is evident through his stewardship and philanthropy. He shares his spirit and passion with others by telling the story of his beautifully restored buildings from the 1700s and 1800s, honoring the legacy of Daniel Boone, a skilled hunter, trapper and trailblazer. Brinkmann’s pollinator plots have produced amazing honey and contributed to the preservation of threatened species.
Additionally, Brinkmann generously hosts a multitude of charity events at his 110-acre property for causes close to his heart, including the Katy Land Trust, St. Louis Police Department and MCHF in support of clean water. Brinkmann’s hard work and entrepreneurial spirit have impacted many people’s lives, including those employed at Brinkmann Constructors.
Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA), an inspirational advocate for our most precious resources, will be presented with the Sacagawea Community and Partnership Conservation Award. This award goes to an organization focused on exceptional community and partnership building resulting in progressive changes in conservation programs.
From protecting wetlands and waterfowl habitat, floodplain development, clean water and other conservation programs in the St. Louis area, GRHA has made impactful strides for conservation in Missouri. Additionally, the organization’s commitment to preserve and restore the 100-year confluence by bringing together multiple public and private partnerships is a creative approach that will help maintain its agriculture heritage, wildlife habitat and water storage capacity for the future.
Join MCHF partners, like Sustaining Sponsor Rick and Lotsie Holton, Bass Pro Shops, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Grant’s Farm, Orscheln Industries and Sugaree in sponsoring the National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards in honor of these leaders in conservation.
Save the date for the 10th Anniversary of the National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards Celebration, Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Mo. (10501 Gravois Rd. St. Louis, Mo 63123). The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a tram ride through Deer Park, followed by a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers and refreshments followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $425 per person or $4,000 for a table of ten and may be purchased by Monday, September 1, 2025, by calling the MCHF office at 573.634.2080.
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The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1997 to advance the conservation and appreciation of Missouri’s natural resources, including fish, forest and wildlife. MCHF works with donors and other conservation partners to financially support the mission and priorities of the Missouri Department of Conservation at the statewide, national and international level, having raised and invested more than $27 million for conservation funding statewide, plus $13.3 million for the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems. MCHF supports the state’s nature centers, as well as hiking and wildlife viewing activities – anything that allows Missourians to enjoy the outdoors in urban or rural areas.
