MDC to host 80th anniversary open house Oct. 26 in KC

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is celebrating 80 years of serving nature and you. MDC will host an 80th anniversary open house for the public to get information and provide feedback on conservation programs 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. in Kansas City.

The program will begin at 5 p.m. with a tour of wildflowers, grasses and trees in the Discovery Center’s outdoor classroom and native plant garden. A second tour will begin at 5:30 p.m.  From 6 to 6:45 p.m., MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley and other local speakers will make opening remarks. Director Pauley will share insights on the department’s history, conservation priorities, and challenges on the horizon. Visitors can tour exhibits and visit with Pauley and other MDC staff from 6:45 to 8 p.m. MDC staff will be present to answer questions and take comments from attendees.

Attendees are encouraged to give feedback on department regulations, infrastructure, strategic priorities, and statewide and local conservation issues.

"Citizen involvement and participation have always been important to the Department of Conservation,” said Conservation Commissioner Dave Murphy. “Whether through gathering input from hunters on deer season regulations, or hikers and birdwatchers on how a conservation area should be managed, we value public input. We want to hear from you."

No registration is required for this free event. Refreshments will be served. The first 80 attendees will receive special gift items from MDC.

Watch this video for a personal invitation from MDC Director Pauley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ0khwwQRWc

Can’t make the open house? Share comments online at mdc.mo.gov/openhouse.

For more information, call MDC’s Discovery Center at 816-759-7300.