Vote Don Johnson for 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year

THIS CONTENT IS ARCHIVED
News from the region
Statewide
Published Date
12/21/2011
Body

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are teaming up again to honor four conservationists and award $65,000 in grants for candidates’ conservation projects as part of the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is taking this special opportunity during the holiday season as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors” and gladly championing Don Johnson of Festus for the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year.

Johnson is one of four commissioners of the Missouri Conservation Commission, which is responsible for appointing the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) director, serving as policy makers, approving wildlife code regulations, strategic planning, budget development and major expenditure decisions for the Department. He is also active in the National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Archery in Schools Program and Conservation Federation of Missouri. He is the standard bearer for Missouri conservation.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Johnson has invested his life in conservation projects from wild elk restoration to implementation of the National Archery in Schools Program. Don continually searches for ways to give back to communities. He works tirelessly as a proponent for Share the Harvest, a program of the CFM and MDC that provides food for the hungry, helps manage the deer herd and promotes greater awareness of the many contributions to society made by hunters. Don is an enthusiastic hunter and angler with true heart, a fantastic standard bearer for conservation! His commitment and perseverance to conservation work can be honored with your vote.

In addition to his dedication with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited, Don was president of the CFM from 2006 until his appointment to the Missouri Conservation Commission in 2007. He served as CFM’s president and held the posts of second and first vice president. He has chaired both the Ways & Means and Executive committees and served on many resource committees. His leadership has shaped much of what CFM is today.

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University in Washington D.C. Following college he served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 130 combat missions in Vietnam and earning four Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

The annual Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions through their volunteer activities to the outdoors and conservation. Each year a committee selects four conservationists as finalists from dozens of outstanding nominees.

Adult consumers over 21 from across the country vote for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year in an open-ballot process at www.Budweiser.com. Online voting runs through Jan. 6. Each person may vote one time and must enter his or her date of birth.  People can also vote through www.confedmo.org and follow the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year link found on the home page. Also visit the Conservation Federation of Missouri Facebook page and “like” and “share” the link there.