Meeet Our Contributors

Apr. 2002 - Vol. 63, No. 4

contributor image Barbara Baird is a freelance writer who lives near Rolla, in Phelps County. She writes a weekly newspaper column called "The Accidental Ozarkian." She says her Ozark outings, in which she often drags along family or friends, quite often turn into escapades.
contributor image Freelance outdoor writer Mark Goodwin lives in Jackson and teaches biology at Jackson Senior High School. For over 20 years, both spring and fall, he has hunted turkeys across the Missouri Ozarks. Mark enjoys eating wild turkey almost as much as he enjoys hunting them.
contributor image Bryan Hendricks is managing editor of the Conservationist. His endless quest for good fishing water and hunting grounds often leads him to public conservation areas. Hendricks has written nearly a thousand articles for more than 60 publications. His first book, "Arkansas, A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure," was published in 1999.
contributor image Karen Kramer has been with the Conservation Department for eight years and now works as natural areas coordinator. Karen lives near Hartsburg and lists her three dogs, her horse and her collection of Wizard of Oz paraphernalia as her favorite things in the world. She says she works for fun; she also plays volleyball, hikes and rides her bicycle.
contributor image Rick Thom began working for the Conservation Department in 1978 as its first natural areas coordinator. He currently serves as administrator of the Natural History Division and vice-chair of the interagency Missouri Natural Areas Committee. Rick enjoys just about all outdoor activities, especially exploring the plants, animals and geology of Missouri's diverse natural communities.
contributor image Joel Vance, retired Conservation Department writer, is the author of "Down Home Missouri (When Basketball Was King and Girls Were Scary)." Throughout his career and retirement he has written many articles for the Conservationist and other magazines. He is a former president and current historian of the 2,000-member Outdoor Writers Association of America.