Conservation director Sara Pauley to retire

Missouri Department of Conservation Director Sara Parker Pauley will retire July 1 after a 30-year career in public service. She began at MDC as a policy coordinator and became its first female director in November, 2016.

“The opportunity to serve as director of one of the top conservation agencies in the country over the past seven years – and to work alongside an immensely talented team of staff, partners, and commissioners – has been a life-changing experience for me,” Pauley said.

“As a lifelong Missourian, conservationist and hunter, I am beyond grateful to have served the citizens of Missouri and to have helped push conservation forward in Missouri.”

Under Pauley’s leadership, MDC has furthered its mission of protecting and managing the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state. Highlights include:

• Restructuring the agency to be better prepared to tackle new conservation challenges and keep conservation relevant in a changing world with less connection to nature.
• Working with Columbia Public Schools to create the vision and creation of Boone County Nature School, allowing all fifth graders in the county to experience learning in nature.
• Working with the University of Missouri, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and other partners to create the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands & Aquatic Systems to train and cultivate the next generation of conservation professionals.
• Creating the Missouri Conservation Partners Roundtable to bring hundreds of conservation partners and students together each year to collaborate on shared priorities.
• Serving as the first female president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and collaborating with other states on conservation issues.
• Implementing the first elk and bear hunting seasons in Missouri.

PASSION, DEDICATION
Steven Harrison, chairman of the Missouri Conservation Commission, said it has been easy to see the passion, dedication and talent Pauley provided.

“She gives it everything she’s got, both professionally and personally, and her upcoming retirement will allow more space and time for family and friends, as well as those outdoor pursuits that fuel her,” he said.

Pauley previously served as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as a project manager for D.J. Case & Associates, and worked with federal and state agencies on policy development, marketing and environmental compliance.

The Columbia native had been deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and chief of staff to former Missouri House Speaker Steve Gaw. She received her law and journalism degrees at University of Missouri and taught in its School of Natural Resources.

Gov. Mike Parson said she will be missed. “Sara’s passion for Missouri’s natural resources and great outdoors and efforts to conserve them for the next generations has been welcomed and greatly appreciated,” he said. “Under her leadership, Missouri has maintained its status as a leader in all things conservation, and we look forward to that continuing.”

The Commission will launch an executive search in February to recruit MDC’s next director.