Ferguson Honored with Missouri Department of Conservation Awards

The Partner of the Year award is presented by the MDC’s Community and Private Land Conservation Branch to external partners who exhibit continuous and exemplary service, furthering the department’s conservation mission. Ferguson’s region, southeast Missouri, has faced challenges in filling forestry positions, but his dedication has bridged these gaps, providing critical support to MDC staff and landowners alike.

“As the lead department staff who oversees the cooperative agreement that we have that covers Justin’s positions, I felt that he was very much deserving of this award,” said Seth Barrioz, MDC landowner services manager. “His dedication and performance year in and year out is a feat not to be taken lightly. I appreciate and value Justin’s dedication to his work and Missouri.” 

Over the past three years, Ferguson’s contributions have been remarkable. His achievements include attending 10 educational events to foster community engagement, completing 583 site visits and forest management plan follow-ups, conducting 126 EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) checkouts, writing 59 forest management plans and developing 28 burn plans.

In addition to these accomplishments, Ferguson was nominated for the 2024 St. Louis Regional Partnership Award by an MDC private lands conservationist he regularly collaborates with. His guidance has been invaluable in helping the conservationist, who is new to her role, learn critical forest management and burn planning practices, enhancing MDC’s impact on private lands conservation.

“It is widely known that conservation isn’t achieved by one agency or one organization,” Barrioz said. “It is the power of everyone working together to achieve a common goal that allows conservation to persevere.”

Ferguson’s nominations for these awards reflect his dedication to sustainable land management, community collaboration and his role as a trusted conservation partner. The NWTF applauds his achievements and his efforts to advance conservation in Missouri.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.