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.