Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley

Nestled beside the wood stove, I watched an array of birds, including cardinals, chickadees, and finches, ravenously attack the feeders outside. The skies had produced a sheet of ice earlier that morning, so I found myself all the more eager for spring’s glorious migrating songbirds. A recent report confirms the widespread interest in birds. According to the report, bird watchers in the U.S. generate more than $41 billion annually in economic benefit.

Like all conservation efforts, the success of bird conservation is one of combined resources from individuals and organizations, like the National Audubon Society. Recently, Missouri’s own John L. Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, was awarded one of Audubon’s most esteemed national honors, The Audubon Medal, for his many conservation efforts over his lifetime.

Morris shared these words: “What many people don’t realize is that John James Audubon and President Theodore Roosevelt were not only heroes in conservation, they were also sportsmen and hunters. I hope they are both looking down, smiling and happy, that we are all here as one united, inclusive family working with passion to carry on the important mission they outlined for us many years ago — to be good stewards of God’s creation and to protect the wild places so that future generations, our kids and grandkids, can have the same opportunities we have to experience the wonders of the natural world.”

Well said, Mr. Morris. And congratulations.

Sara Parker Pauley, Director
Sara.pauley@mdc.mo.gov