Within the Department of Conservation, multiple divisions (Administrative Services, Design & Development, Fisheries, Forestry, Outreach & Education, Private Land Services, Protection, Resource Science, and Wildlife) work together to achieve the goals focused on reaching all Missourians.   The Department is supported by a 1/8 of 1% sales tax dedicated for conservation.   The Department’s mission is protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the State; to serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities; and to provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources. The Department’s vision is to have healthy, sustainable plant and animal communities throughout the state of Missouri for future generations to use and enjoy; to have fish, forest and wildlife resources in appreciably better condition tomorrow than they are today;

to have all Missourians understand the relationship and value of plant and animal communities to our social and economic well-being; and to have citizens and government agencies work together to protect, sustain, enhance, restore or create sustainable plant and animal communities of local, state and national significance.

Children’s "Discover Nature” Experiences available through Missouri Department of Conservation

The State of Missouri has over 800 Conservation Areas to visit, along with staffed centers and programs to participate in.  Locally, the St. Louis region has seven staffed locations to assist you in your nature or outdoor experience.  Monthly “Discover Nature” programs are provided free to Missouri citizens.   Program topics will vary both with the season and location, as outlined below.

August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area - This 6,987-acre area contains 3,000 acres of forest in addition to grassland, cropland, old fields, prairie, and wetlands.  Facilities/features include: boat rentals, picnic areas, pavilion, hiking trails, 43 fishing jetties, fishing docks, staffed firearms range, archery range, 5 viewing blinds, and a visitor center. The area also has 32 fishable lakes and ponds totaling 550 acres.  Naturalists and volunteers provide public and school programs for all ages.

Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center – Archery range and 4 trails, Shotgun patterning board, trap and skeet fields, Rifle/Handgun range, Hunter Education Classes and other public programming offered.

Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center – Archery Trail, Rifle/Handgun range, Shotgun patterning and trap fields, Hunter Education Classes and other public programming offered.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area - This area contains cropland, forest, wetlands, and old fields. There is a visitor center and office along with hiking and biking trails, interpretive sites and a boat ramp to the Missouri River. The unique feature of this area is the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, which can be seen from a viewing deck.  New to Columbia Bottom in winter 2009 is a Nature Explore Classroom; developed in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, specifically for children ages 3 through 8 years old.  The Nature Explore Classroom is an outdoor attraction directly across from the Visitor Center with addition attractions to enjoy. Naturalists and volunteers provide public and school programs for all ages.

Forest Park Office - Naturalists and volunteers provide public and school programs for all ages. 

The “Go Fish!” curriculum is provided through the Fisheries Division for youth ages 8 through 14.

Powder Valley Nature Center - This is a forested area with hiking trails. The nature center has 2 floors of interactive exhibits and wildlife viewing opportunities. Naturalists and volunteers also provide public and school programs for all ages.

Rockwoods Reservation - This is a predominantly forest area. Facilities/features: picnic areas and a pavilion, hiking trails, viewing blind, and a permanent stream (Hamilton Creek). The area also has a Conservation Education Center where Naturalists and volunteers provide public and school programs for all ages.