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Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has made it easier than ever for Missourians to find their local MDC contacts and stay informed on nature news. From registering for events, to finding help with private land management, to keeping up with conservation related news, MDC is more accessible than ever.
“Working with and for Missourians in conservation is a huge part of our mission,” said A.J. Hendershott, MDC’s outreach and education supervisor for the state’s southeast region. “We want to make it as easy as possible for folks to find local staff and to keep Missourians informed on important conservation issues.”
Although MDC’s regional offices are easily reached by phone or in-person, the quickest way to connect with MDC is the website, www.mdc.mo.gov. The “Contact and Engage” tab at the top of the webpage is the place to start.
“This is where you’ll find a tool to look up your local MDC contacts by county, download hunting and fishing apps, submit questions, view public comment opportunities and even find volunteer opportunities,” Hendershott said.
One thing people may not realize is MDC’s online newsroom isn’t just for reporters, he said. Anyone can subscribe to receive articles and updates directly from MDC.
“There’s a ‘sign up for updates’ button right on our home page,” Hendershott said. “This way, everyone can have first access to MDC articles in real time; as soon as we send them, they’ll be in your email or in a text – however you choose to receive them.”
Social media is another way to stay engaged with MDC. MDC has Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. In fact, nearly 245,000 people follow MDC’s Facebook page.
“We keep the Facebook page fed with stories throughout the day, including photos and videos, which makes this a very convenient tool for people who are active on social media,” Hendershott said.
These communication methods are necessary, because MDC is a citizen-led agency, established by citizens in 1937 and funded by the Design for Conservation Sales Tax, established by Missouri voters in 1976. The Design for Conservation Sales Tax is a one-eighth-of-one-percent sales tax that goes to support outdoor recreation and conservation efforts in Missouri. For every $8 spent on taxable items, one penny goes to conservation efforts managed by MDC. Thanks to the sales tax, MDC’s budget is less than 1 percent of the state’s budget, while taking no general revenue from the state.
“Missourians have long established how important nature and conservation is to them, which is why we continue to look for the best ways to communicate how we’re serving them and ensure that communication goes both ways,” Hendershott said.
Other tools on MDC’s website include online field guides, a “Places to Go” section to discover nature near you, and archived issues of the Missouri Conservationist and Xplor magazines. To connect with MDC, go online to www.mdc.mo.gov.
