Conservation Federation Of Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grant Awarded

[Kyle Kosovich]

Conservation Federation of Missouri Announces Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grant Awards

(JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri) – The Conservation Federation of Missouri has awarded $10,800 to conservation organizations in its first year of Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grants. The nine grants will empower citizen conservation efforts within Conservation Opportunity Areas around the state.

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition includes nearly 250 Missouri organizations and businesses that support additional funding for fish, forest and wildlife conservation and related education and outdoor recreation. The coalition also supports implementation of Missouri’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy – a statewide strategy that focuses on partnerships to increase habitat work in priority places – Conservation Opportunity Areas.

“It’s wonderful to see citizen conservation groups get involved and take ownership of local conservation efforts,” said Dave Murphy, CFM Executive Director. “Our organization is made of citizen conservationists, and we’re pleased to offer a program that supports their efforts.”

The Mini Grant program provides funds for a combination of partnership meetings and on-the-ground habitat restoration. “We’ve learned that partnerships are really key to increasing conservation activities,” said Amy Buechler, Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator. “In many cases, hosting a partnership meeting is the first needed step to jumpstart coordinated activities. In other cases, start-up money is needed to help accomplish a healthy habitat goal.”

The Conservation Federation of Missouri is the largest and oldest statewide citizen conservation organization in Missouri, working to conserve natural resources and protect Missouri’s natural heritage. Funding for the 2009 Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grant Program was provided by CFM, as well as through donations from Teaming With Wildlife partner organizations including the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Prairie Foundation, Audubon Missouri, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon Society of Missouri. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.confedmo.org.

2009 Missouri Teaming With Wildlife Mini Grant Awards

Audubon Missouri

Iatan/Weston Missouri River Corridor Conservation Opportunity Area (COA) Stakeholder Development

Audubon Missouri will host a stakeholder forum focused on the Iatan/Weston Missouri River Corridor COA, resulting in the development of an action plan for future collaborative activities.

Chert Glade Master Naturalists

Canoes for Conservation

Funds will be used to purchase two canoes and related equipment to aid in water quality education programs, creek cleanups and riparian restoration in the Shoal Creek and Spring River Conservation Opportunity Areas.

Kansas City WildLands

Conservation Opportunity Area Volunteer Stewards Training Academy

Kansas City WildLands will develop a Training Academy to engage more citizen volunteers in restoring and conserving limestone glades, riparian forest, remnant prairies and woodlands within the Upper Blue River Conservation Opportunity Area in urban Kansas City.

Longboat Outfitters

Re-invigorating the Bryant Creek and North Fork Conservation Opportunity Areas

Longboat Outfitters and Ozark Regional Land Trust will partner to host a stakeholder meeting for the Bryant Creek and North Fork COAs. The meeting will serve to reconnect conservation partners and develop coordinated activities for the future.

Missouri River Relief

Manitou Bluffs Conservation Opportunity Area Stakeholders Sharing on the River

As part of a larger River Camp 2009 event, Missouri River Relief will host a River Managers’ Forum and River Camp Sandbar Hootenanny to share current activities within the Manitou Bluffs COA and sow seeds for future collaborations.

The Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region

Outreach, Education and Engagement in the LaBarque Creek COA

Funds will be used to engage the people who live within the LaBarque Creek Watershed COA by hosting trail building workshops, watershed gatherings, and developing educational materials.

Southwest Chapter of Quail Unlimited

Roaring River State Park Glade Restoration

The Southwest Chapter of Quail Unlimited will restore four acres of glade habitat in the Roaring River Conservation Opportunity Area by removing Eastern Red Cedars.

Stream Team 3481

Big Piney River Riparian Restoration

Stream Team 3481 will work to establish a 100-foot riparian buffer along the Big Piney River to conserve habitat for declining fish, mussels and hellbenders.

Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center

Conservation Opportunity Area Committee Development

Wildcat Glades will host quarterly partnership meetings for the Shoal Creek COA near Joplin and expand community restoration workdays.

[zander]

Good job Kyle. That is really great.

[Kyle Kosovich]

Good job Kyle. That is really great.

Thanks!

I'm excited about starting a conservation movement in my home watersheds. Growing up in both the Bryant and the North Fork has made me very aware of their importance.

K-