4 minute read
President's Message
CFM Remains Committed to Our Mission
Roses are my favorite flower and are especially comforting these days. Many of us still worry about the health and economic welfare impacting our families, friends and neighbors due to COVID-19. Rest assured, CFM is committed more than ever to our mission: To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.
Prior to the COVID-19, CFM was tracking 80 bills that would impact Missouri conservation and environmental statutes. While the normal schedule of sessions was disrupted for several weeks, legislators were successful in getting several priority bills across the finish line. The House and Senate gave approval to 50+ pieces of legislation.
Shelf-Stable Legislation – House Bill 1711 – Rep. Tim Remole, and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, championed CFM’s priority legislation to passage. HB1711 passed to allow shelf-stable meats like snack sticks to be processed for the children’s buddy backpack program.
CFM advocates’ grassroots call to action was successful in defeating the following legislation via face to face testimony as well as the new Legislative Action Center:
Missouri Department of Conservation – House
Joint Resolution (HJR) 100 - The House Special Committee on Government Oversight heard Rep. Robert Ross’ HJR 100. Conservationists and environmentalists from across the state packed the House Hearing Room to show their opposition to the legislation.
Sale of Eleven Point State Park – House Bill
2635 Rep. Jeff Pogue, sponsored House Bill 2635, and fought all session to amend other legislation to require the state to sell the Eleven Point River State Park. CFM, Missouri Parks Association and partners were successful in defeating Rep. Pogue’s proposed amendment. MDC Commission restructure – HJR 108 - Rep. Chris Dinkins, introduced this which would require voter approval. It would have increased the membership on the commission to nine nonpartisan members, one elected from each of the MDC regions and one appointed by the Governor. A coalition of conservation supporters was successful in killing this bill. CFM remains relevant in what we do to support and defend Missouri conservation and its outdoor heritage. September 10th, marks CFM’s 85th Anniversary! Our staff, who worked remotely during the stay at home order, has returned to the office so feel free to call upon them at any time. CFM Officers, Board, members and friends of conservation continue to volunteer their time and talents, meeting via ZOOM and or conference call. While all regular CFM committees are functioning business as usual, I’ve appointed ad hoc committees to ensure we are thinking outside the box and making appropriate changes to be ready in the “New Normal.”
CFM has implemented several cost savings initiatives, but has also had to cancel or postpone several revenue-generating and networking events, negatively impacting our 2020 bottom line. I realize you have many choices for the causes that you are passionate about. I hope that CFM is at the top of your giving list, whether it be monitory or as a volunteer. Remember, we are all in this together! Stay well and get outdoors whenever you can!
On a personal note on the recent loss of past president, Ron Coleman, I appreciated his friendship and support through the many years we worked together in service to CFM. Like so many others, I benefited greatly from the examples he set as a conservation enthusiast and volunteer. We miss you, Ron!
Yours in Conservation,
Mossie Schallon President, CFM
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in order.” — John Burroughs
Why I Became a Life Member of CFM: Lee Vogel
Ihave been listening and telling stories about Missouri’s outdoors ever since my childhood. My stepfather, an avid waterfowl hunter, introduced me to duck hunting when I was 11 years old. Together, we developed a bond around the stories we shared in the duck blind.
Little did I know that those early mornings afield would be so influential in my appreciation for the efforts of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM). This private organization is singularly focused on making certain the wildlife and natural resources that serve those who love the outdoors are preserved for all to enjoy.
I met fellow volunteer hunter education instructor, Allan Hoover, at a CFM Annual Meeting. We became good friends and discovered we shared a concern about the declining number of new hunters. Our classes were full, but very few of our graduates experienced a first hunt. This ultimately led to our creation of the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. (MHHF), a notfor-profit that provides free weekend hunter education clinics to youth. At our first board of directors meeting, we unanimously voted to join CFM as an affiliate member. Since then, our volunteers have introduced more than 500 families to Missouri’s hunting tradition.
As a lifetime member, I am a proud partner – along with thousands of other Missourians – of a team that is actively involved in state and national issues that relate to conservation. This type of advocacy assures that the Missouri outdoors I love and appreciate will continue to provide me and others, a refuge to hunt, fish, camp, boat and enjoy wildlife.
Become a CFM Life Member
When you purchase a Life Membership with CFM, your money is added to an endowment supporting the administration of the organization in perpetuity. Each year, we draw earnings from the endowment, so your contribution will truly be supporting the CFM for the rest of your life and beyond. This is an important funding source for our Federation.
We hope you will consider joining the over 280 dedicated conservationists who have already made a life commitment to the Conservation Federation of Missouri by becoming a Life Member today.
