MDC employees are among “Conservationists of the Year”

JEFFERSON CITY–Two employees of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) are among 2010 Conservationists of the Year named by the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) in February.

At its annual meeting at Lake of the Ozarks Feb. 25, CFM presented its Forest Conservationist of the Year Award to Forestry Regional Supervisor August “Gus” Raeker, of Washington. Among the achievements that led to the honor was Raeker’s work on Missouri’s Forest Resources Assessment Strategy, or FRAS. FRAS evaluated the condition of Missouri forests and identified trends, threats and opportunities for sustainable forest management.

Private Land Conservationist John C. Murphy, of Kirksville, received CFM’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award for his work preserving and restoring prairie and grassland habitat.

Other awardees included:

• Conservationists of the Year Larry and Brenda Potterfield, Columbia

• Conservation Communicator of the Year Bob Priddy, Jefferson City

• Conservation Educator of the Year Norman Ridder, Springfield

• Hunter Education Instructor of the Year David Rush, Belton

• Water Conservationist of the Year Bill Ambrose, Jefferson City

• Outstanding Lifetime Achievement, Wayne Morton, Osceola

CFM is a broad-based citizen conservation group representing more than 93,000 individuals and 80 affiliate groups from hunters and anglers to birdwatchers. Anyone can nominate candidates for a Conservationist of the Year Award. For more information, call 573-634-2322 or visit www.confedmo.org/.

-Jim Low-