Honor Missouri conservationists with MDC awards
Published 11:40 pm Friday, October 16, 2026
The Missouri Conservation Commission and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) are accepting nominations for their Master Conservationist Award and the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame through Dec. 31. The awards recognize Missourians who have made outstanding contributions to conservation.
Anyone can submit a nomination, which should include a statement describing the nominee’s accomplishments and a brief biography. A screening committee meets annually to consider nominees with the Commission conveying final approval.
The Master Conservationist Award honors living or deceased citizen conservationists, former MDC commissioners, and employees of conservation-related agencies, universities, or organizations who have made substantial and lasting contributions to the state’s fisheries, forestry, or wildlife resources, including conservation law enforcement and conservation education-related activities in the state.
Recent recipients of the Master Conservationist Award include Dan and Connie Burkhardt of Frontenac (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- honors-dan-connie-burkhardt- master-conservationists), Daniel Dey of New Bloomfield (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- honors-daniel-dey-master- conservationist), and Susan Flader of Columbia (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- honors-susan-flader-master- conservationist).
Get more information on the Master Conservationist Award and nomination form at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/awards- honors/master-conservationist- award-nomination.
The Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame honors living or deceased citizen conservationists, former MDC employees, and other conservation-related government agencies, universities, or organizations — including conservation law enforcement and conservation education-related activities — who changed the landscape of conservation in the state of Missouri in the field of fisheries, forestry, or wildlife resource management.
Recent honorees into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame include Ken Babcock of Jamestown (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- inducts-ken-babcock- conservation-hall-fame), John Wylie of Jefferson City (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- honors-john-wylie-missouri- master-conservationist), and Lee Redmond of Lohman (mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc- inducts-lee-redmond- conservation-hall-fame).
Get more information on the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame and nomination form at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/awards- honors/master-conservationist- award-nomination
Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31 to Missouri Department of Conservation, Attention Julie Love, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 or emailed to Julie.Love@mdc.mo.gov.
