Conservation Federation of Missouri preserves, maintains the state’s rich outdoor heritage
Chronic wasting disease has only been found in members of the deer family.
Which, of course, is still not great news for the deer.
“It’s 100-per-cent fatal for cervids—elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer—and it’s been found in recent years, in isolated cases, in northern Missouri,” says Rehan Nana, director of corporate relations for the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
“It’s become an item of major concern for our organization. At the CFM, we’ve taken action by supporting improved fencing standards, more widespread testing, and other methods to help slow the spread of chronic wasting disease as much as possible,” he adds, “because unfortunately, when it spreads, it spreads quickly, and there are no survivors.”
Since 1936, the CFM has acted as the voice for Missouri’s outdoors, and it’s no coincidence that Missouri has one of the most sophisticated conservation programs in America. An umbrella organization based in Jefferson City, the CFM represents 84 conservation groups with one common goal—preserving and maintaining the Show-Me state’s rich outdoor heritage.
“While these groups all have varied interests, everybody understands that we’re all in it together. You’ve got a bow hunter sitting next to a bird watcher sitting next to a paddler sitting next to a mountain biker,” says Nana. “There’s a greater interest here—and that’s Missouri as a conservation state.”
Much of Missouri’s conservation legislation exists because of the CFM’s advocacy work. A private organization representing thousands of citizen conservationists, the CFM’s ongoing initiatives include:
- Advocating for the renewal of the Missouri Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax;
- An urban and suburban-focused Certified Wildlife Habitat campaign to help replenish resources for local and migratory wildlife; and
- Share the Harvest, a charitable meat donation program for deer hunters that yielded 220,000 pounds of venison for hungry Missourians last year.
We take environmental protection seriously at Enbridge, and we invest significantly in community programs that promote environmental stewardship, education and habitat remediation.
Enbridge is a member of the CFM’s Business Alliance, which helps prepare the conservation torch for future generations through programs such as:
- The Conservation Youth Leadership Corps, a multi-year program that gives high school and college students an opportunity to influence conservation policy;
- The Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance, which provides a united front for college students to support conservation in the state; and
- The National Archery in the Schools Program, which promotes international-style target archery.
“We’re dedicated to advocating for, educating and informing conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts,” says Nana. “That’s critical if we want to keep Missouri as a quality outdoor state.”
