Missouri is home to 15 million acres of valuable forest. From 1880-1920 Missouri was one of the leading lumber-producing states in the nation.
Huge sawmills processed shortleaf pine into lumber, shingles, and railroad ties. When the lumber boom faded away in 1920 a focus on regenerating the forests began.
The Civilian Conservation Corps was developed in 1933 and employed more than 250,000 men on forestry projects and in 1936 Missouri voters approved an amendment creating the Conservation Commission, which included a Forestry Division.
Forest conservation efforts continue today with an average of six seedlings being planted for every tree that is cut.
