MDC to host 80th anniversary open house Sept. 26

St. Joseph, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is celebrating 80 years of serving nature and you. MDC will host an 80th anniversary open house for the public to get information and provide feedback on conservation programs 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the Kemper Recital Hall in Spratt Hall on the Campus of Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive in St. Joseph.

The program will begin at 5 p.m. with a waterfowl identification workshop led by MDC staff. Northwest Missouri hosts some of the state’s finest wetland areas for waterfowl, such as MDC’s Bob Brown, Nodaway Valley, and Fountain Grove conservation areas.

MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley will highlight speakers discussing conservation beginning at 6 p.m. Pauley will share insights on the department’s history, conservation priorities, and challenges on the horizon. Local community leaders will also make remarks. MDC personnel will be present to answer questions and take comments from attendees.

Attendees are encouraged to give feedback on department regulations, infrastructure, strategic priorities, and statewide and local conservation issues.

"Citizen involvement and participation have always been important to the Department of Conservation,” said Conservation Commissioner Dave Murphy. “Whether through gathering input from hunters on deer season regulations, or hikers and birdwatchers on how a conservation area should be managed, we value public input. We want to hear from you."

No registration is required for this free event. Refreshments will be served. The first 80 attendees at each open house will receive special gift items from MDC.

Watch this video for a personal invitation from MDC Director Pauley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ0khwwQRWc

Can’t make the open house? Share comments online at mdc.mo.gov/openhouse.

For more information, call MDC’s Northwest Regional Office at 816-271-3111.