At their August 26, 2010 meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation board of directors approved $44,470 in funding to nine grant projects benefiting conservation or outdoor recreation. The grants are from the Foundation’s Missouri Department of Conservation Partnership Grant Program. These projects leverage an additional $129,171 in matching funds and/or in-kind labor and are summarized below:
Discover Nature Radio Partnership ($8,000)
MCHF funding with help produce a full year of two-minute “Discover Nature” radio spots on National Public Radio-affiliate station KRCU in southeastern Missouri, which will air Monday morning during the popular drive time radio program Morning Edition. Each weekly topic will be written by Missouri Department of Conservation staff to help NPR listeners discover nature.
Missouri Hunter Heritage Foundation ($10,000)
The Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation exists to introduce youth and their families to the hunting experience. The program provides youth hunting clinics, using hunter education class and hunter education instructors to teach firearm safety. The experience also includes a closely monitored hunt after the students successfully completes the hunter education class. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and educational supplies, and produce training manuals and videos that will allow the Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation to expand the program in 2011.
Grand Pass Bird Monitoring Station ($4,620)
In partnership with several conservation groups, the Missouri Department of Conservation maintains a bird monitoring station at Grand Pass Conservation Area. Funds will be used to cover costs of two summer interns from Missouri Valley College’s Biology Department. The interns will work with Department staff and volunteers to conduct bird monitoring at Grand Pass Conservation Area. Funding will also cover the cost of multiple field trips by 150 fifth-grade students from Beuker Middle School in Marshall, Missouri. During each field trip, students are given hands-on experience in mist netting, bird watching, and research.
Lincoln County Youth Hunting Clinics ($600)
Funds will help cover the cost for two youth hunting clinics in Lincoln County. The first clinic will be a Youth Dove Hunting Clinic and Hunt in September for up to 30 youth hunters aged 11-15 and their mentors. The second will be a youth deer hunting clinic for up to 25 youth age 6 to 15 and their mentors. The event will be held in cooperation with the Cuivre River Wildlife Management Association, a cooperative organization of conservation-minded landowners in western Lincoln County, whose goal is to manage private land for better quality deer and upland game.
Moreau Valley Monarchs Youth Program ($1,500)
Funds will cover the cost of four outdoor skill events in central Missouri. The program is sponsored by several conservation groups. The scheduled events include: 1) a youth dove hunt for 20 youth and mentors, 2) a youth turkey hunting clinic, 3) a sporting clay and skeet shoot for women, and 4) women’s quail hunt. The events will provide a positive hunting experience for central Missouri youth and their families.
Macon Family Outdoor Fun Day ($1,500)
The Macon Family Outdoor Fun Day is a cooperative event hosted by the Department of Conservation and several conservation organizations, offering individuals and families the opportunity to learn about shooting, fishing, fly typing, campfire cooking, and numerous other outdoor activities.
Little Blue River Watershed Coalition Stream Workshop ($7,230)
Funding will help cover the cost of an urban streambank stabilization workshop for city engineers, public works personnel and other conservation staff. The three-day workshop will accommodate up to 60 participants and will include classroom and field work. The workshop will also include the design and installation of two streambank stabilization projects for Jackson County on the Little Blue River and Blue River.
Missouri River Relief Project ($8,000)
The Missouri River Relief’s River Camp Project is a series of river clean-ups, educational events and networking opportunities centered on the Missouri/Mississippi Confluence Conservation Opportunity Area. Funds will help cover the cost of several river clean-ups and a watershed festival for 400 students at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
Peterson Outdoors Wounded Warrior Deer Hunt ($3,020)
This event is sponsored by a non-for-profit organization called Peterson Outdoors. The event will allow U.S. soldiers who have been wounded in combat in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Viet Nam to participate in a special deer hunt on private land in Barton and Jasper Counties. Funding will help cover the cost of food and supplies and the cost of 14 ground blinds for the disabled hunters.
