Bass Pro Shops Names Conservation Partners of the Year

July 10, 2013
SGB Update

Bass Pro Shops  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.

Sara Parker Pauley as the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

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 a 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 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 are 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.

Bass Pro Shops currently operates 77 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada visited by over 120 million people annually. B

Bass Pro Shops Names Conservation Partners Of The Year

December 28, 2011
SGB Update

Bass Pro Shops has named Richard Childress, president and chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing and Bob Ziehmer, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation as their “2011 Conservation Partners of the Year.”

Both men 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.

Childress, a former NASCAR driver, heads up Richard Childress Racing, a 12-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. Together with racing legend Dale Earnhardt they established RCR as one of the premier teams in all of motorsports.

Another great passion Childress has is big-game hunting and the conservation and preservation of wildlife habitat in the United States and throughout the world. He currently serves on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“Richard is a long-time friend and hunting buddy who loves racing and has used his platform in racing to promote many conservation causes. I have had some great times sitting around a campfire with him on hunting trips and during that time discovered the true heart this man has for conservation,” stated Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris.

Morris also felt that Missouri Department of Conservation Director Bob Ziehmer was most deserving of a Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award during this 75th anniversary of the agency.

Ziehmer assumed the role as Director on January 15, 2010 and is the eighth director in those 75 years. He believes that input and involvement are critical to conservation.

“All of us at Bass Pro Shops are proud to honor Bob and the Missouri Department of Conservation for everything they have done for all of us as Missourians to protect our right to hunt and fish as well as for their conservation efforts that help protect the wildlife and their habitat,” continued Morris. “Their work has gained them recognition as the national conservation leader that other states try to model.”

Past winners of the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year Award include 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.

Bass Pro Shops operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 112 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation.

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