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Bass Pro Names Conservation Partners of 2012
Fishing Conservation theangler PM
Bass Pro Shops has named Dave Murphy, Executive Director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and Sarah Parker-Pauley, the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as their “2012 Conservation Partners of the Year”.
Both were presented their awards by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris at the company’s annual Christmas luncheon for associates held at their national headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.
“Again this year, we are honoring two outstanding individuals who have made a large impact on conservation in our home state and throughout the entire United States. Bass Pro Shops has selected Murphy and Parker Pauley as partners in giving back beyond their responsibility and obligation to manage our natural resources and protect our fish and wildlife habitats, to ensure future opportunities for all to enjoy the sports we love,” stated Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.
Educated as a Wildlife Biologist, Murphy led the Missouri Department of Conservation’s field activities on wild turkey research for 5 years. He has long been a very active volunteer for the National Wild Turkey Federation and served NWTF as Senior Regional Director and Regional Field Supervisor for Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas for 10 years. He is a Life Member of the Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association.
In 2009 Murphy was named to the OL 25 by Outdoor Life magazine, as one of the 25 most influential people in the future of hunting and fishing. In 2009, he received the Citizen’s Award from the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for his “significant advocacy on behalf of Missouri streams.” In 2011, he received the E. Sydney Stephens Award from the Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society, their highest honor. Last year in May the Missouri Tree Farm Association recognized Murphy as the Missouri Tree Farmer of the Year for his farm in Clark County.
Morris also felt that Sara Parker Pauley as the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources since December 2010 and with strong family heritage and passion for Missouri’s priceless outdoors, was most deserving of a Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award.
Parker Pauley received both her law degree and her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri – Columbia and did post-graduate studies in Australia as a Rotary Fellow. She was an instructor at the University of Missouri’s School of Natural Resources, where she taught a course in natural resource policy and administration. As the director, Sara leads the department’s efforts to protect, preserve and enhance Missouri’s natural, cultural and energy resources.
A lifelong conservationist and an avid hunter, Parker Pauley has been an executive committee and board member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. She was a member of the board of the American National Fish & Wildlife Museum, where she served as director of conservation programs from 2005-2006. She has published a number of articles on wildlife and natural resources management.
“All of us at Bass Pro Shops is proud to honor Sara and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for everything they have done for all of us as Missourians to protect our precious natural resources,” continued Morris.
Past winners of the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award include Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation Bob Ziemer, Wayne LaPierre of the National Rifle Association, Rob Keck of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Jeff Trandahl of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and John Hoskins of the Missouri Department of Conservation.