We Are Conservation

Will and Drew Coates

Will and Drew Coates’ passion for habitat management started in the Hill Country of Texas, where they grew up. Both brothers moved to Missouri where the terrain had changed, but their passion for improving it had not. Residing in Lee’s Summit, Will and Drew sold their lawn and garden equipment manufacturing business in 2015 and purchased 500 acres in St. Clair County, east of Osceola.

Our own canvas

The brothers began with an aggressive timber stand improvement plan that includes cedar removal, hardwood thinning, and prescribed fire, and supplemented it with a pollinator set-aside and warm-season grasses for deer and turkeys. They’ve also installed two water features for amphibians and mammals and five permanent wildlife openings.

In their own words

“We’re at year five of our efforts and it’s fascinating to see the property transformation,” Will said. “Our turkey population has exploded and the deer herd is reaching carrying capacity. MDC has been an outstanding partner to our efforts — we couldn’t be happier.”