News

You continue to support and protect Missouri streams as the Missouri Stream Team Program turns 25! The Missouri Stream Team Program is a citizen-led effort to conserve Missouri streams. The program is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. The focus of the […]

Your generous donation to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation will support research and education designed to better understand and manage Missouri’s black bears. Do we have black bears in Missouri? The answer is yes, we have a small but possibly growing population. Black bears appear to be making a comeback in Missouri after being nearly […]

MCHF is happy to announce that the volunteer fund now has over $7,500 available for staff of MDC to use to cover volunteer training and travel statewide to continue to support programs that would not be possible without the volunteers. In spring of 2013 MCHF was approached by the Missouri Conservation Pioneers to set up […]

At its meeting on February 20, the MCHF Board funded several projects to support ongoing work by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff. These projects include: Macon Family Outdoor Fun Day – $1,250 Blue River Community Restoration Day – $2,475 Columbia Public Schools Outdoor Education Program – $5,000 DeKalb County Upland Bird Youth Hunt – […]

Chip McGeehan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries and wildlife management at the University of Missouri – Columbia. He went on to pursue a career in business, but remains dedicated to wildlife management and conservation. He sustainably grazes herds of bison on his 1,000-acre ranch along the James River in Webster County, where […]

At its meeting on December 5, MCHF Board appointed four new Directors to replace outgoing Board members David Reynolds and Jan Horton, Springfield; Steve Bradford, Cape Girardeau; and Cynthia Metcalfe of Springfield. New members are appointed to serve a three-year term with an opportunity to volunteer for an additional three years.

At its meeting on August 8, 2013, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Chris Vitello as the Executive Director for the Foundation. Mr. Vitello is retiring from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) after 27 years. He worked his way through the ranks of the Department beginning […]

At the August 8, 2013 Board meeting, the MCHF approved 9 projects totalling $23,975. The approved projects contribute to the Department of Conservation’s priorities and are closely tied to: 1) capital improvement projects; 2) forest, fish and wildlife restoration efforts; 3) land acquisition or 4) hunter recruitment and outreach. This funding is made possible through […]

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) Executive Director Rick Thom recently announced his pending retirement, effective June 30. During Thom’s tenure, MCHF has increased its visibility, improved its business operations, and funded scores of conservation projects. Thom has headed MCHF since 2007, after retiring from a 28-year career with the Missouri Department of Conservation, including positions […]

New Platforms Dedicated on May 4, 2013 The MCHF began fundraising to construct a fishing and viewing platform at Bennett Spring State Park in 2011. The platform was to be constructed below the dam at Bennett Spring. The goal of $45,000 was met and additional funding allowed an effort to construct an additional handicapped accessible […]