Missouri: Expanding Landowner Engagement

The Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri has successfully broadened its outreach to landowners and the public through a series of well-attended events. The Woodland Owners Conference drew approximately seventy participants, with nearly half being landowners. The other half were resource professionals receiving continuing education. The conference directly resulted in consulting forester site visits, furthering white oak stewardship efforts. Additionally, a Woodland Management Field Day, held in partnership with the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), connected with 38 attendees managing over 2,600 acres.

Missouri Extension offered a three-part Garden Plot Seed Orchard series. Webinar sessions covered ensuring the future of oak, site selection, how seedlings are grown at the George O White State Forest Nursery, planting and caring for your seedlings. Between 30 and 48 attendees were at the programs and 29 completed all three. Those 29 each received 50 seedlings to plant. A survey of participants showed 76% never attended a program similar to this one, 69% never met with a forester but 76% say they are likely to meet with a forester in the next 5 years. This is a great indication that new audiences are being reached.  This program was an excellent partnership with MU Extension, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the White Oak Initiative. 

Beyond these events, Missouri partners engaged hundreds of additional individuals through informational booths at various community events, including the Missouri Chestnut Roast and Women in Agriculture. They also met with state elected officials at the Conservation Federation of Missouri day at the Capital.  Outreach materials such as banners and rack cards were refreshed to support these engagements.