The Department of Conservation is guided by a four (4)-member commission appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The commission is charged with the control, management, restoration, conservation and regulation of the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state. The commission appoints a director who serves as the administrative officer of the Department of Conservation.

Principal sources of revenue are derived from the sale of hunting and fishing permits, the dedicated conservation sales tax of one-eighth of one percent, and revenue from administration of forest, fish and wildlife resources. Substantial funding is made available on a matching basis through the federal government and is applied primarily to acquisition, development, research and forest fire control. Department structure is broken down into two functions-Administration (support services) and Field (resource management and enforcement), each managed by a deputy director.

Administration

Administration contains the divisions of Administrative Services, Human Resources and Outreach and Education. Administrative Services administers the department’s support services of: information technology which provides direction and management of the department’s information technology assets; design and development which administers the department’s construction/development program; and, business and support which conducts the department’s financial operations, building and grounds services, fleet management, aircraft, marine; and other mechanical equipment. Human Resources recruits employees; maintains programs for personnel records, benefits, compensation, workers’ compensation and safety programs; as well as in-service training in human relations, personal communications and supervisory skills. Outreach and Education administers the department’s public information and education programs.

Field

Field contains the divisions of Fisheries, Forestry, Private Land Services, Protection, Science and Wildlife. Fisheries manages lakes, reservoirs and streams for public fishing; conducts water pollution impact investigations and an ongoing research program to measure fish populations and trends; determines limiting factors and develops better management techniques. Forestry controls forest fires; provides rural fire protection training and assistance; planning advice in urban and community forestry, forest insect and disease surveys; provides advice and assistance to private timber landowners; conducts research on forest management topics; and provides low cost tree planting stock to Missouri residents. Private Land Services provides technical assistance and resource training to private landowners; provides cost-share assistance to landowners with priority resource needs; and provides wildlife damage control assistance. Protection carries out the department’s wildlife law enforcement program. The division also provides training in the safe and responsible use of firearms, with emphasis on ethics and property rights of others, and develops and operates recreational shooting ranges. Science Division is the center of the department’s resource inventory, monitoring, and research. The division helps department area, regional, and issue managers understand and conserve the biological diversity of Missouri’s fish, forests, and wildlife. Wildlife administers hunting seasons; assists private landowners with wildlife habitat efforts; conducts research to provide current information on the status of wildlife populations, develops improved management methods and promotes preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Conservation Services