Missouri Department of Conservation

MDC and MU Extension thank Missouri Master Naturalists for 2025 accomplishments

Volunteers provided more than 82,000 hours of service to local communities in 2025.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension) thank Missouri’s 937 Master Naturalists for volunteering more than 82,000 hours to conserving Missouri’s natural resources in 2025.

     Missouri Master Naturalists are volunteers who participate in chapter-based natural resource education and conservation programs within their communities. The program is sponsored by MDC and MU Extension. Master Naturalist chapters provide a corps of well-informed volunteers to serve nature and natural resources in their communities. They sometimes assist with MDC research or conduct habitat-improvement projects. They often serve at educational programs or special events conducted with chapter partners within the community.

     To become a Master Naturalist, participants must first enroll in a 40-hour core training focused on Missouri’s ecological systems and conservation. Core training is conducted at the chapter-level and led by chapter advisors with both MDC and MU Extension.

Missouri has 13 Master Naturalist Program chapters: Boone’s Lick in Columbia, Chert Glades in Joplin, Confluence in St. Charles, Great Rivers in St. Louis, Hi Lonesome in Cole Camp, Lake of the Ozarks in Camdenton, Loess Hills in St. Joseph, Meramec Hills in Rolla, Miramiguoa in Washington, Mississippi Hills in Hannibal, North Star in Kirksville, Osage Trails in Kansas City, and Springfield Plateau in Springfield.

     “One of the most significant highlights during the year -- and there were many -- was the organization of a core-training course conducted in the Kirksville area with 11 graduates,” said MDC Master Naturalist Program Coordinator Rebecca O’Hearn. “That ultimately resulted in the creation of the 13th chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program -- the North Star Chapter. Prior to this, a new Chapter had not been organized since 2018.”

Other Master Naturalist highlights for 2025 include:

• 188 Master Naturalist volunteers were trained in 2025, including the 11 members of the new chapter. More than 3,530 volunteers have been trained as Missouri Master Naturalists since the program was first organized in 2004.

• Volunteers provided more than 82,000 hours of volunteer serviceto local communities. This volunteer activity is equivalent to more than 39 full-time equivalents of professional time (FTEs)* and provides an important metric for measuring the impact of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program. 

• Over 920 volunteers became Certified Missouri Master Naturalists, maintained certification, or were active members during 2025. 

• Master Naturalist volunteers participated in more than 14,400 hours of advanced training during 2025.

• Approximately 135 organizationshave partnered with Master Naturalist chapters at the local level to accomplish natural-resource education and service projects within their communities. 

• The economic impact of Missouri Master Naturalist volunteer service during 2025 is valued at $3,308,273.The cumulative economic impact of Missouri Master Naturalist volunteer service is valued at $32,672,385**. 

Learn more about the Missouri Master Naturalist Program -- including the 2025 Annual Report -- at extension.missouri.edu/programs/missouri-master-naturalist

*The number of FTEs was calculated by dividing the total number of volunteer service hours by 2,080 hours (260 workdays) per year.

**The number of FTEs was calculated by dividing the total number of volunteer service hours by 2,080 hours (260 workdays )per year. The value of volunteer service calculated using Independent Sector’s $33.49 per hour for 2025. The hourly value is based on the average hourly earnings for private nonagricultural workers as determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure is increased by 15.7 percent to estimate fringe benefits. More at independentsector.org/resource/value-of-volunteer-time/ 

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January, 2026  Paint Stewardship Legislation SB917 and HB2162 Aims to Give Missourians Convenient,

Safe Options to Return Leftover Paint. See Flyer here

Paint stewardship legislation being proposed in Missouri would provide consumers with greater access to safely and conveniently return leftover paint.

 

Since municipalities and household hazardous waste (HHW) collection programs cannot feasibly manage the estimated 1.3 million gallons of paint that go unused statewide each year, consumers are left with the responsibility to store and dispose of leftover paint with little to no options.

 

The paint stewardship program, active in 13 states, puts the responsibility for end-of-life management of paint on the paint industry, thereby reducing the burden on consumers while helping to protect Missouri’s waterways and wildlife from improper paint disposal.

 

The program works by requiring paint manufacturers to create a stewardship organization to set up and operate a convenient, statewide system for the collection of post-consumer paint. SB917 and HB2162 to establish PaintCare in Missouri were filed in December.

 

Endorsed by paint manufacturers, the Missouri Association of Counties, and the Missouri Municipal League, the bi-partisan paint stewardship legislation offers a responsible, cost-effective solution for Missouri to manage leftover paint and lessen the burden on consumers and local governments. Visit https://missouripsc.org/paint/ to learn more.

 

Contact:

Nadja Karpilow

Chairperson, Paint Workgroup

Missouri Product Stewardship Council

karpilow@marc.org - 816-701-8226

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Ozarks Clean Fuels Coalition

Our new OCFC website is up and running at: https://www.ozarkscleanfuels.com/​​

 

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks​ 

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Solid Waste Management District O

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The Scrap Tire Grants Call is now open and has been posted on our website: https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/financial-assistance-opportunities/scrap-tire-surface-material-grantThis Grant Call will be open until March 31st, 2026.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the scraptiregrants@dnr.mo.gov

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​EPA  ​

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​Please visit and bookmark the EPA Grants Webinars page where you will find tips for preparing for EPA webinars, presentation materials, helpful resources, and webinar recordings. We also invite you to visit and bookmark the Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to questions about EPA grants that were asked by previous webinar participants.

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Missouri Recycles (MORA) 

 

Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA)  ​

 

Ozark Land Trust

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​​James River Basin Partnership

​2024 Annual Report​
 

L-A-D Foundation

Incorporated in 1962, the L-A-D Foundation is a Missouri private operating foundation dedicated to the responsible management of Pioneer Forest as a working demonstration of renewable resource use compatible with the long-term carrying capacity and health of the land and water. The Foundation also acquires and preserves in the public interest outstanding areas of natural, geologic, cultural or historic interest. In addition, the Foundation provides support to various projects consistent with its conservation goals, with a particular focus on the Missouri Ozark region.

2024 Annual Report
 

​Missouri Department of Natural Resources

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Missouri Prairie Foundation

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Ozark Society

(see flyer, click here)

The Ozark Society is a non-profit organization established in Arkansas in 1962 to protect the Buffalo

River and its surrounding wilderness area from development, thus allowing it to remain a free-flowing

and scenic river. Today, the Ozark Society continues to advocate for conservation of natural resources,

preservation of scenic places, and environmental education.​

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SW Missouri Local Government Briefings​​​ 

Missouri Butterflies, host plants and Caterpillars

Go here to see a great poster of common butterflies and their caterpillars!

 

Watershed Center of the Ozarks

2024 Annual Report

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Children and Nature Network

 

Springfield Community Resource Guide​

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​Dish to Dirt Program

Read to find out how to subscribe and see what events are coming up.  Learn about composting, free workshops and more! Click HERE.

The Ozarks Clean Air Alliance (OCAA)  Go HERE to find out more. and the Clean Air Action Plan

 

White River Sierra Club​

 

The Schoolcraft Ozarks Society

Dark Sky Missouri (Click here for more information)

 

​​ Check out what can be recycled at Staples. https://www.staples.com/stores/recycling

 

Ozark Riverways Foundation

Ozarks Greenways

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Missouri Product Stewardship Council (MP PSC)
Check out their informational flyer HERE

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