Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance
April /10 / 2020
COVID-19 Update!  
 
Although CFM had to postpone "Conservation Day at the Capitol" there are still many advocacy measures you can take while we work through these uncertain times.   The legislators are continuing to work in smaller committees in the House and in their District offices to prevent the spread of the virus.  This means we have a "captive audience!"
 
Here are ideas and examples of actions you can take so Legislators hear your Voice:
 
  • Join and engage with CFM's Legislative Action Center to stay up-to-date on the latest news on legislative issues of interest to CFM. https://www.confedmo.org/lac/
  • Reach out to your local Legislators by email, letter, or phone.  Educate your Senator on CFM's priority legislation (SB662) and thank your Representative for unanimously passing HB1711.  These pieces of legislation allow shelf-stable foods to be added to the Share the Harvest program.  Educate them on how Share the Harvest program works through CFM and why CFM is opposed to adding feral hogs to the program.
  • Use social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) to share information about MCCA by tagging @mcca_mo and by using the hashtags #naturecantvote and #conservemo.
  • Thank legislators who have stepped up to support CFM issues.
  • Get involved in the town hall forums that are being held virtually now - (filing for State House and State Senate seats closed March 31).
TAKE ACTION HERE:  https://www.confedmo.org/lac/#/16

Don't poach conservation!  Oppose HJR 100

Thank you to all who have taken action and showed up at the Capitol hearing to oppose HJR 100.  Three MCCA students and nearly other 100 people packed the House to stand and represent conservation in Missouri to oppose this resolution.  Although zero citizens showed up in support, it still passed out of committee with a vote of 6-3. We will update you when the next action will be taken in this lengthy process.

Please continue contacting your friends and fellow conservationists and encourage them to contact their Representatives to Oppose HJR 100. You can also join our social media campaign by sharing your conservation stories using the hashtag, #naturecantvote and tag us @mcca_mo on Instagram. We believe science should guide the conservation of Missouri's bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state, not politics.

Student Spotlight:  Ashley Hrdina

Hi, my name is Ashley Hrdina! I'm a student at the University of Missouri and a new member of MCCA. I work with the Conservation Federation of Missouri to keep the MCCA social media up-to-date and relevant. My passion is helping the environment and I hope through MCCA I will be able to develop my leadership skills and knowledge so I can make a difference in natural resources. I'm also a member of Conservation Leadership Corps, a professional agriculture sorority, and I am the secretary for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Society. I currently work for the Missouri Department of Conservation on the Crayfish Crew and love my job. Growing up outside and working on the Crayfish Crew have given me an appreciation for the world around us and I want to help keep it beautiful for the generations to come.
CLC Applications are Open!
For the 2020/2021 school year.

The Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) offers high school upperclassmen and college students unique opportunities to influence conservation policy and actions.

Network with resource professionals from the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Department of Natural Resources and other conservation organizations statewide and possibly meet your future employer! Students are encouraged to engage and volunteer in at least two of the numerous conservation activities offered throughout the year with other CLC students. Volunteer opportunities include CFM Explore the Outdoors Regional events, Pull for Conservation, Prairie Fork Work Days, Stream team clean-ups, or affiliate events.

Your Contact Person at CFM

Colton Zirkle is your new contact person for MCCA.  As the new Education and Communications Coordinator at the Conservation Federation of Missouri (the parent organization of MCCA), Colton is responsible for development of youth programs and public outreach.  Please feel free to contact him with any MCCA questions, if you would like to be more involved in legislative advocacy, OR if you are interested in starting an MCCA chapter at your university.

Email:  czirkle@confedmo.org

Phone:  573-634-2322 ext. 103