The Missouri Prairie Foundation was founded in 1966 by a small group of conservation professionals and volunteers who were concerned about the rapid decline of greater prairie-chickens and the degradation and loss of grassland habitat throughout the state. Since that time, MPF has grown and developed with several goals in mind, including the permanent protection of prairie habitat and the need for greater understanding of the role of native grasslands in wildlife conservation, energy security and carbon storage. What began as an all-volunteer advocacy group has grown into an organization that both owns and/or manages nearly 4,000 acres of land, produces one of North American's only magazines on native grasslands and has more than 2,300 members---and continues to advocate for state-wide prairie protection. Our work would not be possible without the many hours of service from our dedicated board members, our generous members and other supporters, our loyal volunteers and our committed, two part-time staff members.
Our People
MPF is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Our current officers and board members are as follows:Officers
- President Stan Parish, Walnut Grove
Immediate Past President Paul Cox, Kansas City
Vice President Doris Sherrick, Peculiar
Secretary Bruce Schuette, Troy
Treasurer Laura Church, Kansas City - Board Members
- Glenn Chambers, Columbia
William A. Davit, Washington
Robert L. Elworth, Willard
Page Hereford, St. Louis
Warren B. Lammert, Jr., St. Louis
Wayne Morton, Osceola
Steve Mowry, Trimble
Bruce Rogers, El Dorado Springs
Bonnie Teel, Rich Hill
W. Randall Washburn, Jefferson City
Jon Wingo, Florrisant
Presidential Appointees (4 authorized, 2 current vacancies)
Galen Hasler, Madison, WI
Timothy Barksdale, Choteau, MT
Emeritus Board Members
Bill Crawford, Columbia
Dr. Clair Kucera, Columbia
Lowell Pugh, Golden City
Dr. Owen Sexton, St. Louis
Staff
Prairie Operations Manager Richard Datema, Springfield
Development Coordinator and Prairie Journal Editor* - Carol Davit, Jefferson City
Regular Volunteers
Lori Burkhardt, St. Louis, Web site content manager and Facebook page manager - Susan Parrish, School Outreach, Willard
Lee Phillion, Writer and Outreach, St. Charles
Many, many thanks to all those who volunteer statewide to remove brush and invasive species and conduct prairie burns on MPF properties.
*Long-time contractor; not a staff member.
