Crawford County Conservation Agent Patrice Reese named Outstanding Agent of the Year for MDC’s St. Louis region

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) employs more than 200 agents throughout the Show-Me State who protect its fish, forest and wildlife resources. Each one shows commitment to that mission, but every year MDC’s St. Louis region recognizes one agent who has gone above and beyond their duties and provided exceptional service with the regional Outstanding Conservation Agent of the Year award.

For 2019, the honor was awarded to Conservation Agent Patrice Reese, who serves Crawford County.

“I believe everyone who works with Agent Reese would agree she has done very well during her five years of service in Crawford County,” said MDC Protection District Supervisor, Tim Tallent. “She is well received by her county citizens, coworkers, law enforcement peers, and elected officials.”

Agent Reese was raised on a dairy farm near Cabool. “I grew up in a family that was always outdoors,” Reese said. “I would accompany my dad to go check his trap line, and go deer, raccoon, or squirrel hunting, so I had a passion for those things early in life. As I got older, I met our local agent and began learning about the aspects of the career. I decided on this path at a pretty early age and never looked back.”

Reese earned a B.S. in Wildlife Management with a minor in Agronomy from Missouri State University and attended the 2012 conservation agent training class. After spending two years in Miller and Monroe Counties, Reese transferred to Crawford in 2014. She is currently a resident of Davisville.

Agent Reese’s outstanding law enforcement accomplishments in 2019 included recovering a stolen truck, which in turn uncovered several other felony violations.   Reese also successfully prosecuted two deer spotlighting cases during the year, and her innovative use of social media lead to the conviction of a road hunting violation.  

“Technology has made leaps and bounds in the information that we have available to us to help do our jobs since I have been an agent,” explained Reese.

A conservation agent’s duties encompass far more than enforcing the Wildlife Code of Missouri, and Agent Reese’s performance has been outstanding in other areas too. In her role as a field training agent, Reese is frequently a mentor to new conservation agents throughout the year.

She routinely visits the school districts in her county and provides quality programs to area youth. Reese also has assisted with MDC’s hunter education program by helping to teach skills sessions. She has served as Share the Harvest Coordinator for Crawford County, working with local food pantries on MDC’s venison donation program which helps feed those in need.

“I have always strived to let my community know that I am here to help in any way that I can,” Agent Reese said.

Conservation agent Reese has earned the respect of other county partners as well by regularly cooperating with the Crawford County Sherriff’s Department, Missouri State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and assisting state marine troopers during summer water patrols.

“Not only are her community policing efforts outstanding, Agent Reese utilizes social media, radio broadcasts and newspaper articles to communicate with the public about important conservation related topics and issues,” Tallent added.

When not on duty, Reese’s favorite destination for outdoor fun in Crawford County is the Huzzah River. “It truly has so much to offer as far as outdoor recreation and is absolutely beautiful. Fishing and floating with the family can be such a great experience,” she said.

Reese was presented with the 2019 St. Louis region’s Outstanding Conservation Agent of the Year award in February. “Agent Reese is a dedicated and loyal employee who works hard to make a difference in her community. Her knowledge, work ethic, balanced approach and professional attitude are outstanding,” noted Tallent.

“It’s very fulfilling to me personally to be selected as St. Louis region’s Conservation Agent of the Year. My whole career I have strived for this and am honored to be chosen for this award,” said Agent Reese.

“When all your hard work pays off it is truly a great feeling.”