The Federation Report
March 23, 2018

In This Issue
Legislative Report:

The legislature is back in session. CFM is watching the following bills:

These are not all the bills CFM is monitoring. Click here to visit our Legislative Action Center to learn more about all the bills affecting conservation and natural resources in Missouri.

From Our Blog:

Kayaking Opportunities Abound Across Missouri
Kayaks offer a great way to access many waters for paddling across Missouri while providing exercise.

There are many advantages to a kayak.
They're usually light, making them easy to transport and control. One person can handle most. You can take them anywhere. They'll fit on top of most vehicles. Kayaks also provide exercise. They don't use gas or batteries, so they're environmentally sound. The list can go on...

Chambers Family Scholarship
MU student Molly Garrett, the 2017 Chambers Scholarship award winner.

CFM is proud to announce it is assuming stewardship of the Chambers Family Memorial Scholarship. Originally named the James D. Chambers Memorial Scholarship Fund, this endowment was established in 1994 following the untimely passing of Jim Chambers, the son of avid conservationist Glenn Chambers.

Historically, the scholarship has been awarded to a graduate or senior undergraduate student majoring in wildlife or natural resources conservation at a Missouri college or university, and is meant to recognize excellence in academics, leadership, and conservation. Since its inception, there have been 20 recipients. The very first in 1997, was CFM member Elsa Gallagher, who now works for Pheasants Forever, Inc. as the Conservation Leadership Program Manager. The most recent winner was MU student Molly Garrett who plans on working toward a Ph.D. in conservation genetics.

Please Help . If CFM can raise $10,000, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) has pledged to raise a like amount as a complimentary endowment that would allow us to give two scholarships, an undergraduate and a graduate award. An idea that Glenn really liked but was constrained by limited funds. 

"Glenn was an active supporter of the Conservation Heritage Foundation," said Ken Babcock, Foundation President. "This partnership between CFM and the Heritage Foundation is a great way to honor Glenn's legacy."

To learn more about the scholarship, CLICK HERE.

To donate to the Chambers Scholarship Endowment, CLICK HERE.
 

Pints for a Purpose

SAVE THE DATE: April 25, 5 p.m to 9 p.m.
Supports CFM.

Certified Wildlife  Habitat ®
Recognize your commitment to wildlife and certify your yard, balcony container garden, schoolyard, work landscape or roadside greenspace into a  Certified Wildlife Habitat®

By creating a natural garden with native plants, you are providing essential elements of wildlife habitat: food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young. Add a water source - such as a birdbath - and follow sustainable gardening practices, and your garden will not only be wildlife-friendly, but it will qualify as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

In addition, a portion of your application processing fee supports the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the National Wildlife Federation's programs to inspire others to make a difference and address declining habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, amphibians and other wildlife. The fee is waived for schools.

Print your
Certified Wildlife Habitat® application  HERE.

Visit  nwf.org/garden to certify today!

CFM Platinum Business Alliance
Members


Thank you to our platinum sponsors.

Join us for
Conservation Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, March 27th



Conservation Day at the Capitol is on March 27th, 2018 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join CFM and over 30 affiliate organizations at the Capitol for a day of promoting and supporting CFM. Afterwards, join us for a Pint Night @ Revel from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This event is co-hosted by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. 


Conservation Achievement Award Winners

Conservationist of the Year: Mervin Wallace

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) honored leading citizen conservationists and natural resource professionals with the 2017 Conservation Achievement Awards at a ceremony held in Jefferson City on March 9, 2018. Congratulations to all the award winners. Click here to see a list of all the winners. 

Pull for Conservation: Northwest


Join us April 14th for the 3rd Annual Pull  for  Conservation: Northwest presented by Northwest Missouri's Electric Cooperatives. Event is being held at Boot Hill Shooting Ground LLC, Hamilton, MO. 
David Risberg  Affiliate Grants

Missouri Heritage Hunting Federation was just one of many affiliates that received grant money at CFM's annual convention.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) awarded the inaugural David Risberg Memorial Grants at the affiliate luncheon during our annual convention. These grants honor the memory David A. Risberg, who was passionate about conservation, by making conservation projects across Missouri possible. The grants are only available to CFM affiliate organizations.

"Thanks to the generosity of John and Mary Risberg, and the many donors who followed their lead, CFM has provided the first round of David Risberg Memorial Grants to 11 affiliated organizations. I am humbled and proud that the Risberg Family has placed their trust in these CFM affiliates to honor David's memory," said Brandon Butler, CFM Executive Director. 
 
The demand for these grants was much greater than funds available. CFM now has much work ahead of us to raise the necessary funds to grow this important endowment so we may fund many more of the worthy projects our partners hope to implement across Missouri to better our natural world.
 
The 11 CFM Affiliates who received a share of the $10,125 distributed through the inaugural David Risberg Memorial Grants are: 
  • Forest Re-Leaf of Missouri
  • Greenway Network, Inc. 
  • Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy
  • Missouri Hunting Heritage Foundation
  • Missouri Prairie Foundation
  • Missouri Trappers Association
  • Missouri Chapter, Walnut Council
  • National Wild Turkey Federation
  • Open Space Council for the Saint Louis Region
  • Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
  • Wild Bird Rehabilitation, Inc.
We look forward to reports detailing all the incredible work completed with the assistance of these grants, and anticipate an even greater demand for David Risberg Memorial Grants in future years, meaning even more work will be done across Missouri.   

We welcome your donation to this  worthy cause. To learn more and donate online, please visit http://www.confedmo.org/david-risberg-memorial-affiliate-grant-program/.

Sign up for our Interactive Advocacy Portal


If you haven't done so already, sign up for our Legislative Action Center. This interactive advocacy portal allows you to see what bills we are watching that affect conservation and our natural resources.  Once signed up, the system allows residents to see who their representatives are and send already written emails directly to them at the click of a button. 

Through this site you can vote to show us how you feel about legislative bills and send emails or call your representatives to let them know how you want them to vote on important issues.