The Missouri Department of Conservation is celebrating its 80-year anniversary in 2017, founded through a constitutional amendment passed in 1936 to create the nation's first apolitical conservation agency in 1937, according to a news release.
MDC will hold open houses around the state in August through October to share information and gather public feedback, with one planned in Mid-Missouri for 6-8 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Runge Nature Center, 330 Commerce Drive in Jefferson City.
MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley will be at all open houses to share insights on the Department's history, conservation priorities, and challenges on the horizon. Each open house will also include remarks by local community leaders.
Attendees are encouraged to give feedback on MDC regulations, infrastructure, strategic priorities, and statewide and local conservation issues.
No registration is required. Refreshments will be served. The first 80 attendees at each open house will receive a special gift from MDC.