Conservation News
Forests benefit from Missouri's conservation "Design"
By Arleasha Mays
Ecological stability, wildlife habitat, recreation and fire protection
all are provided for by the one-eighth of 1 percent conservation sales tax.
JEFFERSON CITY -- "Priceless" is how many would describe opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation on public lands, lower insurance premiums resulting from updated equipment for the local fire department and tree-lined green spaces in urban areas. For the past 25 years Missourians have gotten those things and many other benefits by dedicating a one-eight of 1 percent sales tax to state conservation programs.
A Missouri where all citizens share in the benefits and responsibilities of managing the state's forestry, fish and wildlife resources became reality in 1976. That year voters established the sales tax to help fund the Missouri Department of Conservation. Support for the tax was based on the agency's promise to enhance outdoor and wildlife resources, as well as expand opportunities for state residents to enjoy the resources. Those promises were outlined in a proposal called Design for Conservation.
Improved management of the state's forestry resources is one of the major accomplishments of the Design for Conservation. The stable funding provided by the one-eighth of 1 percent sales tax has enabled the Conservation Department to transform its Forestry Division from a fire control and farm forestry service to an innovator in forestry management.
Efforts to improve forestry resources began with enhancement of state forests. The Conservation Department acquired a number of tracts with significant forest cover in western and northern Missouri where public areas were rare. It also added 22 conservation areas totaling 68,000 acres, within 50 miles or less of urban areas.
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