Scott Roy, private land conservationist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, gave the program at Thursday’s meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club. Scott Forman was the program chairman.
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The Department of Conservation is celebrating its 75th anniversary, being established in 1936 by the Missouri Legislature as the result of efforts from a citizens group. There are 10 divisions within the department, which has a budget of just over $158 million. The majority of its finances comes from a one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax voted in by citizens in 1976. The MDC gets no money from state general revenue.
He noted that the MDC mission is three-fold – to protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state; to serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities; and to provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources. Roy’s job as private land conservationist has him working with private landowners on better uses of their property through conservation practices. He is one of 54 private land conservationists throughout Missouri and works in the counties of Grundy, Mercer and Livingston.
During the business meeting, it was announced that donations are still being accepted for the Shoes for Orphan Souls project. The resignation of Scott Long as a member was announced and President Elizabeth Gibson presented information from Rotary International on the eradication of polio in India, which has not had a new case reported for one year. Polio eradication is a main project of Rotary International.
Next week’s program chairman is Debbie Carman.