The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) is honoring five champions of conservation at the 11th Annual National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards Banquet held Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Missouri.
Rick & Lotsie Holton of St. Louis are the Sustaining Sponsor of the event. Lotsie Holton is a seventh-generation descendant of Captain William Clark. Both Rick and Lotsie are lifelong conservationists and philanthropists who received 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 2026 National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards honorees are:
- Ted Turner Reserves (Corps of Discovery National Conservation Award)
- Honorable Mike Parson (Pat Jones/Spirit of the Wilderness Conservation Award)
- Mark Drury and Terry Drury (Governor’s State of Missouri Conservation Award)
- Steve Maritz (Missouri Legacy Conservation Award)
- Missouri Disabled Sportsmen (Sacagawea Community and Partnership Conservation Award)
“We are honored to recognize this year’s awardees,” said Will Coates, president of the MCHF Board of Directors. “These individuals and organizations have meaningful impacts on conservation across Missouri and the nation as a whole. They’re getting more people outside and educated about nature. They’re doing the boots-on-the-ground work to protect our wildlife species and millions of acres of natural space. They are key leaders in innovative projects that shape our landscapes. We hope the 2026 awardees inspire other conservation leaders to stand up for their love of the outdoors, and we invite you to join us in celebrating these impactful individuals and organizations at Grant’s Farm on September 24.”
Ted Turner Reserves, a hospitality brand grounded in conservation with a mission to connect people with nature, 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 based upon exemplary service, inspiration and commitment to benefit the conservation cause.
Representing some of the largest private conservation efforts in the country, Ted Turner Reserves is a living laboratory allowing for significant habitat and wildlife restoration on 1.1 million acres, balancing nature and human activity. Through active restoration, they’ve revitalized landscapes scarred by mining and overgrazing, building resilient sanctuaries for wildlife. These efforts include restoring native Rio Grande cutthroat trout populations in Vermejo Park Ranch and revitalization of wetlands and riparian zones to encourage beavers to return. Ted Turner Reserves exemplifies how humans can successfully coexist with essential ecosystems, thereby ensuring a sustainable future.
As a continuation of Ted Turner’s legacy, Ted Turner Reserves embodies a profound, enduring dedication to preserving our wild spaces for the future. By offering unique experiences, the Reserves connects people with nature, fostering appreciation and a sense of responsibility for environmental stewardship. Ted Turner Reserves protects and preserves the natural wonders of the West, continuing the legacy of discovery by Lewis & Clark.
Honorable Mike Parson, former Missouri Governor, will be awarded the Pat Jones/Spirit of the Wilderness Conservation Award. This award goes to an individual who has promoted and protected 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.
The Honorable Mike Parson played a pivotal role in championing the creation of the Rock Island Trail, which will be a major economic driver of ecotourism and potentially the longest continuous rail-trail in the world once fully connected with the Katy Trail. It also protects the plentiful natural habitats along the corridor for public health and outdoor accessibility.
Mark Drury and Terry Drury, brothers and co-founders of Drury Outdoors, 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(s) who reflects the spirit of conservation, shows outstanding leadership and has positively contributed to conservation principles and programs in Missouri and beyond.
As siblings, Mark and Terry Drury’s shared love and respect for hunting in Missouri has resulted in an outdoor empire equipped to answer hunters’ burning questions. It is clear they are not only in sync with each other, but also in sync with the spirit of the woods, the wildlife and the hunter. Their time spent outside with family has inspired countless others to plan adventures of their own, which closely aligns with MCHF’s mission to ensure our outdoors can be enjoyed by all. Their commitment to putting conservation first at every step of your journey has had a profound impact on Missouri’s natural world.
Steve Maritz will be presented the Missouri Legacy Conservation Award. He developed his love of nature early in life, spending summers in the north woods canoeing, camping, fishing and exploring. It was his love for dogs that sparked the hunting passion, and his purchase and expansion of “Craghurst”, his property in Franklin County Missouri, which gave real substance to his interest in conservation. Steve has stewarded and preserved the wetland, prairie, and Meramec corridor riparian areas though the use of prescribed fire management. Through local and statewide community outreach, he shares the land and wildlife management programs that have been developed at Craghurst.
After 40+ years with Maritz, including 25 as CEO, Steve has retired from active duty, but remains the Executive Chairman of the Board. During his career, he served the community on many civic boards.
He is active in the conservation community with Quail Forever, serves on the board of the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society, and is the Chairman of The Wetlands America Trust, the land trust for Ducks Unlimited.
He enjoys spending time afield with his family and friends.
Missouri Disabled Sportsmen, an organization that provides outdoor opportunities to mobility-impaired and youth sportsmen, 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.
Missouri Disabled Sportsmen is a 100% volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making the outdoors accessible to mobility-challenged individuals, youth, and terminally ill youth across Missouri. Through hunting, fishing, shooting sports, and outdoor educational opportunities, Missouri Disabled Sportsmen helps participants experience the confidence, fellowship, and freedom that come from spending time outdoors. Founded in 2008 on the belief that the outdoors should be accessible to everyone, the organization brings together experienced mentors, volunteers, landowners, conservation partners, and community supporters to create safe, meaningful, and educational outdoor experiences. From upland bird hunts and deer, turkey, dove, and waterfowl outings to
fishing events and shooting sports opportunities, Missouri Disabled Sportsmen continues to remove barriers and build lasting connections to conservation and Missouri’s outdoor heritage.
