CONSERVATION INNOVATION
Creating Centers for Conservation Innovation
Nearly seven decades of conservation experience has taught us that we can accomplish more for nature when we bring together people and organizations for a shared mission. As pressures on our lands and waterways increase, the need for solutions- based research is more important than ever. The Nature Conservancy is taking a bold step toward accelerating conservation success by developing a network of dedicated research stations across Missouri. “Our research is producing real results today with scalable solutions that can transform the way people use and value nature,” says Holly Neill, The Nature Conservancy’s director of conservation policy. But she admits, there’s so much that can be done to speed up the pace and impact of those results. “Place-based conservation is in our DNA,” says Neill. “We’ve been protecting critical landscapes in Missouri for 65 years. And as a science- based organization, we want to learn everything we can about those places— and encourage others to learn from them as well.” This desire to accelerate research and learning sparked the idea to develop Centers for Conservation Innovation, or CCIs, across the state. These centers will not only utilize existing TNC properties but will help inform where
“Using the model of Little Creek Farm, these centers will facilitate conditions that increase opportunities for expanded and shared research,” says Neill. “Collaboration and partnerships hold the key to the transformative formula that can really accelerate learning and new practices.” Additional centers are being identified and plans are underway to explore
additional conservation efforts should be focused. “The goal is to establish a network of high-quality demonstration sites and research facilities to inform critical conservation strategies,” says Neill. “We want to increase the speed, intensity, availability and impact of data so that better practices can be tested and implemented.” The first CCI is located at TNC’s Little Creek Farm, in Harrison County. The existing farmhouse was renovated to construct bunkrooms, private and shared living spaces and a full kitchen that can accommodate several researchers.
how we can enable innovative ideas and concepts that benefit people and nature.
“We’re excited for what this means for the future of conservation in Missouri and beyond,” says Neill.
1956 MISSOURI CHAPTER IS FORMED.
1957 First Missouri land acquisition to help with the purchase of Tucker Prairie.
1977 First purchase and transfer of more than 3,600 acres to create Prairie State Park.
1983 First controlled burn conducted at Bennett Spring Savanna.
1991 83,000 acres purchased in the Ozarks. Most was sold (at cost) to MO Dept. of Conservation but TNC kept 5,600 to establish Chilton Creek.
4 MISSOURI: ACTION AND IMPACT
THIS PAGE A TNC scientist making a vegetation sample plot © Kevin Arnold
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