For 80 years, the Department of Conservation has provided Missourians with the opportunity to enjoy wildlife at its best.
Department officials gathered Thursday to thank Jefferson City area residents for their support and to receive feedback on continuing to improve for the future.
"Conservation Department is your department," said Tom Strother, protection regional supervisor at conservation office in Columbia. "It couldn't be able to do the work we do without your support your guidance. You are our partners in conservation."
Cam'Ron Jones, 11, said his favorite outdoor activities include planting flowers, looking at trees and swimming in ponds.
"Nature is important because trees make oxygen, and flowers make the world beautiful," he said.
Throughout the evening, attendees walked around Runge Nature Center and visited with various department staffers about their services and voiced their opinions and concerns. Representatives from various divisions provided information for everything from hunter education and conservation curriculum in schools to waste management, fisheries and wildlife.
Conservation agents Christopher Jones, of Cole County, and Nathaniel Hodges, of Moniteau County, shared information about the protection division.
They said agents come from various backgrounds to work for the protection division. Requirements include being at least 21 years old, a post-certified police officer and having a bachelor's degree in one of their core concentrations such as criminal justice, natural resources, wildlife or biology.
Hodges noted the Protection division is one of the original divisions within the Department of Conservation, called the Game and Fish Commission.
Listening to residents' praises and concerns were three of four department commissioners, Director Sara Parker Pauley and Brandon Butler, executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
Pauley was selected as director last November and said it is quite humbling to be a part of the 80-year celebration. She called it a great time to reflect on what has worked well and how they're going to face the future.
Pauley noted the department is focusing a lot on the business side of conservation, making sure it is a good steward of the people's money and improving technology.
"This is where I started my career 24 years ago, and its a special year to come back," Pauley said. "This whole strategic planning process is a part of looking at how we engage the next generation of Missourians to make sure that they value forest, fish and wildlife, just as much as the crowd tonight."
For younger families like Elizabeth and Austin Lambert, whose daughter is almost 8 months old, the Runge Nature Center and the local trails are dear to them.
"We go out on the trails a lot and take pictures and even watch through the windows to see the feeders," Elizabeth Lambert said. "It is super important to have opportunities for everyone to experience nature.
"We hope our daughter is out eating dirt and playing all the time, we want to raise her to care about conservation and to be a steward for the Earth."
Commissioner Marilynn Bradford called the Runge Nature Center the No. 1 attraction in Jefferson City.
Dick and Judy Hirst, both in their 80s, agreed, calling it a gem for the community.
The couple remembers when the Runge Nature Center was first built. They said they brought their granddaughter to the first "Babes in the Woods" event at the center.
Now, their granddaughter is in college and comes back to volunteer when on break.
Jeanne Schwaller, longtime conservation supporter, said the Runge Center is a wonderful resource for children, and she hopes of all the taxes, the conservation sales tax is one that remains in place.
"I think the sales tax that we have that funds conservation and education efforts in this state is very very important," Schwaller said. "I would oppose any attempt to remove this source of funding because it has done what everyone involved with conservation wants it to do."
Pauley said so far they have been hearing a little bit of everything, including feedback about chronic wasting disease among deer, fishing regulations, accessibility for seniors on trails and increasing the number of trails in different areas.
"We have six more open house events around the state and hope people take advantage of the opportunity to come out and engage in their department," Pauley said.