Conservation Heritage Foundation to recognize Kehoe, others Sept. 22

Sen. Mike Kehoe
Sen. Mike Kehoe

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe will receive one of three awards from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, during its third annual National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards ceremony Saturday at the National Guard's Ike Skelton Training Center in Jefferson City.

The organization also will honor Tim "Mountain Man" Guraedy, from the television series "Duck Dynasty," and the National Wild Turkey Federation's Missouri Chapter, according to a news release.

The "vital partnership between our state's conservation agents and law enforcement officers" will be recognized at 4 p.m. during a Partnership Reception.

"We are proud to host this event as a way to recognize national and state conservation leaders and organizations that go above and beyond to support our conservation legacy," Ken Babcock, chairman of the MCHF board, said in the news release. "It is our mission to support the goals and objectives of the Missouri Department of Conservation and this fundraising event enables us to back a wide variety of conservation projects."

The Partnership Reception is at 4 p.m., and the Awards Reception and Banquet begins at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $125 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight to attend the dinner and the reception. To see if tickets are available, call the foundation at 800-227-1488 or visit mochf.org.

Kehoe will receive the Pat Jones/York Spirit of the Wilderness Award, which was first given to Pat Jones in 2016.

The foundation said the award "embodies the exploratory spirit of entrepreneurs and honors individuals who have dedicated their lives to supporting conservation and natural resources throughout Missouri."

Pat Jones and her late husband, Edward "Ted" Jones Jr., laid much of the groundwork for the Katy Trail, the foundation noted in the news release, saying they "created a lasting legacy of conservation and investment in Missouri to protect the state's natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations."

Kehoe told the foundation the award is "an honor for which I feel unworthy."

"The outdoors - hunting, fishing and camping - have always been important to me," Kehoe said. "Whether it is the camaraderie of the opening day of deer season, catching crappie on the banks at the Lake of the Ozarks, or camping in one of Missouri's awesome state parks, conservation and the outdoor sports are part of the fabric of Missouri."

Kehoe said he understands "our Missouri values are directly related to our outdoor heritage, and I will continue efforts to uphold and defend this heritage personally, on our family farm, as well as representing all Missourians in Jefferson City."

The foundation said it's giving Guraedy the Corps of Discovery National Conservation Award, which "honors individuals dedicated to conservation at a national level. An avid outdoorsman, he's been sharing his love of the land for years.

"Even when he was a young boy, he took kids fishing, hunting and camping when their own parents wouldn't take them. He is actively involved in charity events, specifically C.A.S.T. (Catch A Special Thrill) for Kids, a foundation that helps children with special needs and disadvantages enjoy a day of fishing."

In addition to the Saturday evening awards ceremonies, "Mountain Man" Guraedy will help raise money for the Conservation Heritage Foundation from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Ammo Alley, in southern Callaway County.

"With a $10 donation, you can see who's the better sharpshooter," Tricia Burkhardt, the foundation's director of Development and Social Media, said. "Everyone will be shooting a Ruger 10/22 rifle to even the playing field."

The foundation is honoring the National Wild Turkey Federation's Missouri Chapter with the Sacagawea Community and Partnership Conservation Award, which "goes to an organization focused on exceptional community and partnership building, resulting in progressive changes in conservation programs."

The foundation noted NWTF's Missouri Chapter "strives to conserve over 300,000 acres of wildlife habitat, recruit 20,300 hunters and improve hunting access for all Missourians."