Missouri's Diverse Lands, Waters, and Wildlife
Few other states are as enriched as Missouri by the intersection of plants and animals representing the vast prairies of the Great Plains, southwest deserts, southern swampy coastal plains, northern boreal forests, and eastern Appalachians. Two big rivers, the Missouri River and the Mississippi River, shape the state and influence its landscape and wildlife.
Missouri's Planning Approach
Utilizing wildlife information gathered over the past 30 years, Missouri’s comprehensive wildlife strategy promotes management that benefits all wildlife, rather than targeting single species.
The strategy identifies 33 Conservation Opportunity Areas in which management strategies will conserve both wildlife populations and the natural systems on which they depend. For each Conservation Opportunity Area, a team of partners developed a common vision of issues and actions. The Department of Conservation, other public agencies, private conservation organizations and citizen conservationists can use the framework of Conservation Opportunity Areas to focus their efforts for species of conservation concern and their habitats.
News and Information
- Report: Recent Progress in the Conservation Opportunity Areas, August 2007, A progress report on the Missouri Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy (.pdf, 247 KB)
Missouri Department of Conservation
Gene Gardner, Wildlife Diversity Program Manager
