OUR LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Nancy Ylvisaker, St. Louis Beth Alm, Kansas City Michele M. Risdal-Barnes, Springfield Rick Boeshaar, Shawnee Mission John Brands, St. Louis Claire Carstensen, St. Louis Debra Filla, Kansas City Carl Freiling, Ashland Ruth Grant, MD, Springfield Jeanette Hartshorn, Kansas City Marilyn Hebenstreit, Kansas City Diane Herndon, St. Louis Steve Mahfood, Wildwood Steve McMillan, St. Louis Carolyn Polk, St. Louis Robbie Price, Columbia Joel Pugh, St. Louis Fritz Riesmeyer, Kansas City Jon M. Risdal, Springfield
This is a big year for us. Not only are we celebrating 65 years of on-the-ground conservation work in Missouri, but we are also embarking on the last months of our $25 million campaign for conservation in Missouri (more about that on page 11!)—both are accomplishments that we do not take for granted. Have there been challenges? Yes. Have there been failures? Of course. Have there been huge successes? Absolutely! Have there been pandemics? Well, yes. But, as we reflect on our past, we are humbled. We are humbled by the endless collaborations with partners, the committed leadership from 65 years of trustees, the determination of our staff and the passion of our members.
Without these components, I’m convinced that we would not be the strong organization that we are today. We are courageous in our work because we are confident in those who join us on our mission. No matter where you joined us on the timeline, we hope you take pride in what we’ve accomplished together and that you help us in creating future milestones. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for investing in nature. Thank you for being a part of something that is bigger than us all.
With gratitude,
Sharon Shahid, Washington, D.C.
Turbo Sjogren, St. Louis Jean Wagner, Kansas City Wallis W. Warren, Beaufort Van Wolbach, Kansas City TRUSTEES EMERITI Patricia DuBose Duncan, Rockport, Maine Susan Lammert, St. Louis
Adam McLane, Missouri State Director
On the Cover Dr. Clair Kucera walks through native grasses on Tucker Prairie Preserve in 1975. © Courtesy of University of Missouri
In 1957, The Nature Conservancy’s first land purchase in Missouri was part of a collaborative effort to protect 160 acres of tallgrass prairie in Callaway County to establish a biological field station for the University of Missouri. A mere fragment of pre-settlement prairie, Tucker Prairie has never been broken by the plow, making it a valuable historical remnant. Since 1958, research by students, faculty and conservation biologists has resulted in more than 50 published papers and 25 theses. The Clair L. Kucera Research Station and Tucker Prairie are owned and managed by the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri. Tucker Prairie is managed in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The Nature Conservancy is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) international membership organization. Its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Nature Conservancy meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability established by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is a national charity watchdog affiliated with the Better Business Bureau. Printed on 100% PCW recycled, process chlorine-free paper, creating the following benefits: 27.4 trees preserved for the future 2,052 gallons of water not used
3,982.7 lbs. CO 2 prevented
THIS PAGE Adam McLane © Kristy Stoyer/TNC.
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