Thank you. Those two words best sum up my 30-year career with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
While it’s true I’m sending plenty of thanks to my co-workers for the help and support they’ve given me over the years, my biggest “thank you” goes to you – the citizens of Missouri.
Nothing lasts forever and this is the case with my job as MDC’s Southwest Regional Media Specialist. It’s time for me to retire so younger minds with better and fresher ideas can continue to communicate the conservation message to Missourians.
But before I scoot out the door for the last time, I wanted to send a deep and heartfelt “thank you” to all the people over the years who have shown me what a true love of conservation is all about.
And again, to be clear, that’s you – the citizens of Missouri. I’ve always said what has made my job with MDC very easy is that Missourians “get it.”
By this I mean residents of the Show-Me State understand why our outdoor resources are special and they appreciate the work MDC does as stewards of these cherished treasures.
There’s a reason Missouri ranks in the top 10 nationally in hunting harvests for both deer and turkey.
There’s a reason our lakes and streams are known throughout the Midwest as being great places to catch fish.
It’s because Missourians care about conserving our state’s fish, wildlife and forest resources.
So, in terms of providing various forms of communication about the importance of caring for our outdoor resources, I’ve basically been preaching to the choir for 30 years.
Another thing that has made this job so enjoyable over the years is what I’ve learned by working with some of the country’s top resource experts here at MDC.
The biggest thing I’ve learned from them is that nature never stops teaching us new things. The more we learn about the outdoor world around us, the more we realize there are things yet to be understood.
This realization always puts us in even greater awe of the wonderful natural resources we have.
I’ve had a wonderful ride with MDC, but it’s time for me to step down from this marvelous carriage and let someone else take the reins.
It’s impossible to write this without tears coming to my eyes, but that’s what happens when you wrap up a job that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed for three decades.
Although my job with MDC may be concluding, MDC’s job of outdoors stewardship will continue.
And make no mistake; along with the triumphs will always be challenges. Making sure future generations can enjoy the same great outdoors activities we enjoy today isn’t easy work.
But it’s an endeavor that’s worth the effort.
But why am I telling you this?
You already know.
(Francis Skalicky works for the Missouri Department of Conservation and can be reached at 417-895-6880.)
