The Nature Conservancy in Missouri’s Post

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, apply to be a part of the exciting work happening in Missouri. We’re looking for a new Philanthropy Coordinator. The role is a key part of our philanthropy team. Responsibilities include gift processing, event coordination and donor stewardship as well as a variety of administrative and program support roles. The Coordinator helps with multiple activities, such as meeting and event logistics, assisting donors with gift-making and asset transfers, processing gifts, providing information to donors and prospects, donor research, and drafting correspondence and acknowledgments. The Coordinator uses our fundraising management system to maintain records and track progress with prospects and donors. They may have substantial contact with staff, donors, vendors, legal and financial professionals. They also manage, track and report key data and provide guidance to Missouri staff on use and/or processing of data. They must maintain advanced skills with the systems and resources used by the team to execute tasks and provide direction to programs they are assigned to work with. They effectively communicate information to assist staff in making decisions, solving problems and improving workflow, so strong communication skills are needed. For the full job listing, including desired qualifications and salary information, visit careers.nature.org. Job ID 55252

If you're looking for a Missouri road trip, may we suggest visiting the three B's (bison, birds and butterflies) at Dunn Ranch Prairie? In recent years, we've added lots of visitor-friendly features, including viewing platforms, kiosks for self-guided tours and an electric vehicle charging station. The charging station, installed through a collaboration with Rivian to supply chargers at select locations of TNC's nationwide network of preserves, can be used to power any electric vehicles visitors drive to the site.

New podcast episode! Sara Pauley, the first woman to lead the Missouri Department of Conservation, talks with The Nature Conservancy's Missouri state director, Adam McLane, about the rewards of a purpose-driven career in nature, her retirement and why there are more paths into the conservation field than job seekers might think. Plus, plenty of practical tips. Listen here 🎙: https://lnkd.in/e5NNSsPt

Our latest Missouri Action & Impact report is out! Packed with stories, it's a great place to learn about what we do. See how TNC's Buffalo Restoration Program works with Indigenous organizations to return buffalo to Tribal lands, go inside prescribed fire training in the Ozarks and hear our staff and partners explain in their own words what motivates them. There's plenty more inside this edition. https://nature.ly/3yJfK4s

Plant people are our people, and we spent a great day with a bunch of them last week at The Nature Conservancy’s Missouri River Center for Conservation Innovation. More than two dozen flora afficionados walked portions of the 164-acre preserve on Friday in Boone County, recording 462 observations and 131 plant species (appreciated but not counted: choruses of birds and one wary western ratsnake). The day included training on conducting community health indices by Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Natural Areas Coordinator Mike Leahy. TNC in Missouri Preserve Engagement Manager Zack Miller presented an overview of the history of land management at the site, from thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship to more recent history as Katfish Katy’s restaurant and TNC’s plans for restoration and agroforestry demonstrations, such as diversifying crops by integrating nut trees in fields. The preserve is part of TNC’s new Centers for Conservation Innovation, which prioritizes outreach, training, stewardship and research. Thanks to everyone from the Missouri Master Naturalists, Missouri Native Plant Society, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri River Relief, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri-Columbia students, Ozark Outsider and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) who joined us. 📷 Doyle Murphy/TNC

We’re hiring a Director of Engagement Programs! The director will be an agile communicator and connector, establishing The Nature Conservancy as a leader in the field as they shepherd a wide range of fascinating projects. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of Missouri’s strategic programs, events and tailored communication channels designed to deepen and expand engagement with key conservation audiences and those who financially support conservation efforts. The director collaborates across functional areas to provide engagement support for conservation, philanthropy and government relations needs. They may serve as a principle contact to government agencies, conservation organizations, foundations, corporations, academia, volunteers and supporters. They will manage and improve conservation partnerships and build strategic capacity in the field. The director develops key partnerships with public and private organizations to strengthen relationships that engage community support for local conservation efforts. They are responsible for widely communicating solutions and best practices. For the full job listing, including salary and benefits information, visit careers.nature.org and search for Job ID 55157.

Crawford County in Missouri has been awarded nearly $1.5M to complete two bridge replacements with fish-friendly crossings, which are also safer for drivers and require less maintenance. The new bridges will open 25 miles of Huzzah Creek to a variety of aquatic species, including threatened and endangered mussels and the eastern hellbender. Crawford County proposed replacement of these bridges with help from The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USDA Forest Service-Mark Twain National Forest and the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Trustees, which provided technical assistance and match contributions to the proposal. The replacements build upon decades of collaborative work in Huzzah Creek. Two other crossings have been replaced along with more than a mile of streambank and riparian restoration on private lands since 2020. These projects highlight the advantages of the growing Missouri Stream Connectivity Partnership, which brings together partners to open up free-flowing rivers in the most important watersheds in our state. Read more: https://lnkd.in/erHRmbD9 Current and previous photos: 1-2. Staff from Crawford County, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit the completed bridge. 3. Water pouring over the former slab crossing.

Our TNC Missouri Habitat Strike Teams have wrapped up another successful prescribed fire season. Since July 2023, the teams have led or assisted on prescribed fire operations totaling 32,101 acres across Missouri Ozark and tallgrass landscapes! In 2024, we hired a new coordinator for our fourth Habitat Strike Team in Missouri. Each team is based in a targeted landscape but designed to be highly collaborative and agile, plugging into efforts around the state. TNC is also helping train the prescribed fire workforce, collaborating with partners on a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) in the Ozarks and a Fire Science Academy at Dunn Ranch Prairie. Fire is a crucial tool for conservation and land management, and we’re already planning for next season. 📷 Doyle Murphy/TNC

THANK YOU to everyone who supported us and hundreds of other nonprofits during Give STL Day yesterday. These gifts have ripple effects that make our communities stronger. We'd also like to thank the St. Louis Community Foundation for organizing the event and making all this possible. On behalf of our staff and trustees, we truly thank you! 💚 Photo: Bill Duncan