New MDC private land conservationist is in familiar territory

LAMAR, Mo. – Dave Darrow has a new job in a part of the state he knows well. Darrow is the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) private land conservationist for Jasper and Barton counties. In addition to making one-on-one contacts with landowners in his counties who are seeking conservation advice, Darrow will work with other MDC staff, the University of Missouri Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other natural resource agencies to deliver resource management information to landowners through workshops, training programs and special events.

He replaces Randy Haas, who retired in June 2015.

Though Darrow's job responsibilities are new, he is familiar with his counties and with MDC. Before assuming his current job in the agency's Private Land Services Division, Darrow was a wildlife management biologist for more than 20 years with MDC. During that time, he was responsible for public use and habitat management on 17 MDC areas in the same part of the state where his current duties are – in Barton, Jasper and Vernon counties.

"I simply love land and land management and I'm excited about helping landowners achieve their goals," Darrow said. "It's very rewarding to be able to help landowners learn about their land and make positive changes."

Darrow will work out of the USDA/NRCS Office in Lamar. He can be reached at 417-682-3571, ext. 107 or David.Darrow@mdc.mo.gov.

More conservation information for landowners can be found at mdc.mo.gov/your-property.