Up Front

I recently met Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. Richard was born in Missouri, so we naturally connected on our shared roots. We realized that long before we cared about conservation, we cared about a place. 

The article Resource Assessment and Management (Page 16) reminds me of one of those places — the creek on my great-aunt and uncle’s farm. We only lived a few miles away but to go to the creek was special. Observing ripples in the water as I skipped rocks, watching a small rock dam change the creek’s flow, or noticing sycamore bark change course as it floated by all fueled my curiosity about nature. 

For many conservation professionals, they formed a connection to the outdoors at a favorite fishing spot, family farm, or hiking trail long before they chose conservation as a career. 

As I grew older, I began to understand that healthy streams resulted from healthy forests and grasslands. Healthy landscapes sustain fish and wildlife populations, providing opportunities to hunt, fish, and simply enjoy outdoor experiences. It also highlights the connection between our communities and healthy lands, water, fish, forests, and wildlife. 

Before we can ask someone to care about conservation, we need them to fall in love with a place. Remember how those places and experiences make you feel and help give everyone the opportunity to make those same connections. 

Healthy streams may grow healthy fish, but they may also grow those who will care for them after we are gone.

Jason Sumners, Director

JASON.SUMNERS@MDC.MO.GOV