Plenary Session

Plenary Session:  Feb 2^nd morning schedule

8:30-8:40 Gary Smith

Welcome and opening

8:40-9:30  Bob Priddy   

The Evolution of Conservation in Missouri,

9:30-10:15 Steve Williams  

Conservation Challenges 75 Years after the Wildlife Restoration Act

10:15-10:40  Break

10: 40-11:30  Peter Raven 

(Note: since people will straggle back after the break we won’t actually start this segment until 10:45.)  

Conservation Challenges for the Next 75 Years

11:30 -1:00 lunch

Bob Priddy

The Evolution of Conservation in Missouri

(or “The Missouri Department of Conservation: Something Older Than I Am”)

Bob Priddy is the News Director of The Missourinet, a statewide commercial radio network that provides news, sports and special programming to about 60 radio stations in Missouri.  He's a historian who has written five books that focus on Missouri history.  Three of them are based on his popular daily radio program Across Our Wide Missouri.  The fourth book is a biography of Missouri's most prominent and controversial 20th century artist and his great painting at the Missouri Capitol: Only the Rivers Are Peaceful: The Missouri Mural of Thomas Hart Benton.  His newest book, The Art of the Missouri Capitol, History in Canvas, Bronze and Stone, written with co-author Jeffrey Ball, was released in May, 2011. In addition to his writing, Bob is an accomplished storyteller with a knack for making history come alive.

Bob graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and did graduate work in journalism and education.  In 2000, he received the University Alumni Association's Faculty-Alumni Award, which recognizes distinguished graduates of the University.  In 2002, he received the School of Journalism Honor Medal, the school's highest recognition for a career in journalism

In his 35-plus year career as News Director of the Missourinet, he has led numerous efforts to open Missouri's government to its citizens through coverage of public participation in legislative committee work, opening Missouri's courtrooms to radio and television coverage and, more recently, spearheading the successful efforts to allow Missourians to listen to legislative debate and Missouri Supreme Court arguments on the internet.  Priddy is the only two-time Chairman of the Board of the Radio-Television News Directors Association; he also has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation.  In 2010 the organizations presented him with a distinguished service award previously given to such figures as Walter Cronkite, C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb, Senator Robert Byrd, CBS News President Frank Stanton, and NBC creator David Sarnoff. The organizations also named a national award for services on the boards in his honor. 

Bob is a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Historical Society of Missouri. He was President of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Missouri Archives for nine years and remains on its board.

Steven Williams

Conservation Challenges 75 Years after the Wildlife Restoration Act

Dr. Steve Williams is the President of the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), a 100-year old, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to science-based, professional wildlife management.

Prior to joining WMI, Steve served as Director of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Deputy Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Assistant Director for Wildlife and Deer Project Leader of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.  He received his B.S. and Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University and a M.S. from the University of North Dakota.

Peter Raven

Conservation Challenges for the Next 75 Years

Dr. Peter H. Raven is one of the world's leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity. For four decades, he headed the Missouri Botanical Garden, an institution he nurtured into a world-class center for botanical research, education and horticultural display. He retired as president in 2010 and assumed the role of president emeritus and consultant through 2014.

Described by Time magazine as a "Hero for the Planet," Raven champions research around the world to preserve endangered plants and is a leading advocate for conservation and a sustainable environment. In recognition of his work in science and conservation, Raven is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the prestigious International Prize for Biology from the government of Japan and the U.S. National Medal of Science, the country's highest award for scientific accomplishment. He has held Guggenheim and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowships.

Raven was a member of President Bill Clinton's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. He also served for 12 years as home secretary of the National Academy of Sciences and is a member of the academies of science in Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Sweden, the U.K. and several other countries. The author of numerous books and reports, both popular and scientific, Raven co-wrote Biology of Plants, an internationally best-selling textbook, now in its sixth edition. He also co-authored Environment, a leading textbook on the environment.