JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon today were named 2015 Bass Pro Shops’ Conservation Partners of the Year in recognition of their commitment to conservation and Missouri’s outdoor economy.
“From hunting and fishing to hiking and paddling, Missouri’s outdoor heritage strengthens our economy and enhances our quality of life,” Gov. Nixon said. “Getting out and enjoying the outdoors is a cherished tradition in our family, as it is for families across Missouri. On behalf of all six million Missourians, the First Lady and I are honored to accept this award and we thank Bass Pro Shops for its strong corporate citizenship and support for Missouri’s outdoor economy.”
Bass Pro Shops recognized the Governor and First Lady’s successful efforts to promote Missouri’s outdoor heritage and strengthen the outdoor economy. Through initiatives like the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge, the Children in Nature Challenge, and the Governor’s Youth Deer Hunt and Youth Turkey Hunt, Gov. Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon have helped encourage more young people to take part Missouri’s outdoor traditions. As a result of the Governor’s efforts, Missouri has seen a rise in youth hunting and fishing permit sales almost every year since 2009.
Gov. Nixon has also been a strong supporter of Share the Harvest, a partnership between the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation, regional food banks, local food pantries and meat processors to provide venison donated by hunters and processors to Missouri families in need. As he has done each year he has been in office, Gov. Nixon donated the deer he harvested during firearms deer season to Share the Harvest.
Under the Governor’s leadership, Missouri has been named the best camping state as well as the best trails state, and its state parks have consistently ranked among the best in the nation.
As a state senator, Gov. Nixon was an early supporter of the Katy Trail, the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project; he took legal action to protect the trail as Attorney General; and he has extended the trial to both the east and west as Governor. He recently announced that a 47.5 extension of the trail on the western side of the state is on pace to be complete by the end of 2016.
Making it a goal to reverse what had been a 10-year decline in parks attendance through 2008, Gov. Nixon has also expanded and improved Missouri’s nationally-recognized state park system, with new state parks under development in Jefferson and Shannon counties. In 2015, Missouri State Parks announced record attendance with more than 18.5 million guests, representing a nearly 25 percent increase since 2008.
In 2010, Gov. Nixon created the State Parks Youth Corps (SPYC), a nationally recognized jobs initiative to enhance Missouri’s state parks and historical sites, in cooperation with the Missouri Division of Workforce Development. Since its inception, more than 3,500 young people have participated.
Launched in 2013 to celebrate Missouri being named the “Best Trails State” in America, the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge encourages Missourians to complete 100 miles of outdoor physical activity in one year. Over the last two years, more than 25,000 participants have logged over 4.4 million miles, including 456 miles by the Governor and 384 miles by the First Lady in 2015 alone.
