Affiliate of the Week: Conservation Federation of Missouri

In honor of our 80th Anniversary celebration throughout 2016, the National Wildlife Federation is recognizing each of our Affiliate Partners in a special “Affiliate of the Week” blog series that showcases the dedicated conservation efforts taking place across the country each day. This week we celebrate our affiliate, Conservation Federation of Missouri, and their commitment to wildlife.

Who We Are

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is the largest and most active conservation organization in the state. Serving as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors,” CFM educates, inspires, and empowers individuals and organizations to support the conservation of Missouri’s natural resources, outdoor heritage, and wildlife such as whitetail deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, quail and more.

With nearly 5,000 individual members and close to 100 affiliated organizations and clubs, CFM represents several hundred thousands of Missourians. Together, they make their voice heard as they work to ensure Missouri remains the greatest conservation state in the country.

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What We Do

CFM’s mission is to ensure the conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources and the preservation of the state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships. They accomplish this through the following:

Conservation Advocacy

CFM works with legislators and state agencies to proactively advance conservation and opportunities for conservationists. CFM is the leading organization for defending against legislation detrimental to Missouri’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. The Federation works to protect the present and future of Missouri outdoors by engaging citizens to take action.

Conservation Programs

CFM’s conservation programs cover a broad array of programs to engage citizens and groups across the state for conservation causes they care about.

• 

  Outdoor Action Committee – The catalyst for coordinated efforts among agencies, organizations, and citizens to fulfill the vision for Missouri’s outdoors

• Stream Teams – A working partnership of citizens who are concerned about Missouri Streams.
• Share the Harvest – A charitable meat donation program allowing hunters to help feed the hungry.
• Operation Game Thief – Works to stop the illegal taking of fish and wildlife.
• Operation Forest Arson – A reliable method for citizens to call and report an arson violation.

Education and Youth

CFM understands the importance of developing future conservation enthusiasts and advocates. Many of their efforts directly benefit youth involvement in the outdoors. CFM’s Conservation Leadership Corps has been nationally recognized for its success in developing high school and college students into the next generation of conservation leaders.

They are also working to expand the Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance, allowing them to reach out to college students across Missouri and educate them on conservation practices and opportunities.

Making a National Impact

CFM has been making a national impact since the organizations’s creation in 1935 when sportsmen and conservationists from all over Missouri came together for the purpose of taking conservation out of politics. Their initiative petition campaign resulted in the creation the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), a non-political conservation agency that continues to be a model for other states.

Since then, the Federation has undertaken many successful battles to ensure Missouri continues to be the leading state in conservation policies and funding. For instance, in 1976, CFM spearheaded the successful passage of the Design for Conservation Sales Tax, which created stable broad-based funding for Missouri’s forests, fish and wildlife.

Students have the unique opportunity to interact and network with all levels of resource professionals in the conservation field. The CLC program is highly regarded statewide and, for past participants, has led to internship and job opportunities. By volunteering in conservation events and CLC activities throughout the year, members also create lifetime friendships.

CFM will continue to focus on youth initiatives to ensure the next generation has the tools needed to effectively act as our future conservation leaders protecting our natural resources and outdoor heritage.

Get Involved

Attend the CFM Annual Convention March l0-12, 2017 in Jefferson City, MO. Learn about conservation efforts in Missouri and be a voice for Missouri outdoors. Meet CLC students and help serve as mentors as they learn to be future conservation leaders. Register online at http://www.confedmo.org.

Connect with CFM

Connect with Conservation Federation of Missouri to get their latest news and keep up with their conservation efforts through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instgram or by visiting their website to sign up to receive their bi-weekly newsletters.