The Federation Report
January 13, 2017

In This Issue
From Our Blog:
 
Maple Syrup Making
A Great Winter Activity

 
Maple syrup for most is an artificially engineered thick, brown liquid with a corn syrup base bought in a plastic bottle. But it doesn't have to be. Making your own all-natural maple syrup is easier than you might expect. The sweet sap inside maple trees is the lone ingredient.
 
The process of collecting maple sap and turning it into syrup is something just about anyone can do. Sap (a combination of water and sugar) is collected from trees and then boiled between 200 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit until the water is evaporated, leaving concentrated sugar, or syrup.
 
Long time syrup maker, Don Bickel said. "Good sap is about 2 percent sugar. Most of it though is closer to 1.5 percent. That 1.5 to 2 percent is syrup, so you just boil off all the water, which is actually about 98 percent of the sap."
 
Native Americans are recognized as the first people to produce maple syrup. Ken Asselin wrote, "One of the most popular stories about the history of maple syrup involves a Native American chief who discovered the clear liquid sap leaking from a tree he had stuck his knife into. As the day warmed up the sap dripped into a pan on the ground. The chief's wife, after tasting it and discovering it tasted very good, cooked his meat in it."...

Certified Wildlife Habitat®
 
Recognize your commitment to wildlife and certify your yard, balcony container garden, schoolyard, work landscape or roadside greenspace into a Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

By creating a natural garden with native plants, you are providing essential elements of wildlife habitat: food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young. Add a water source - such as a birdbath - and follow sustainable gardening practices, and your garden will not only be wildlife-friendly, but it will qualify as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

In addition, a portion of your processing fee supports the Conservation Federation of Missouri and National Wildlife Federation's programs to inspire others to make a difference. The fee is waived for schools Pre-K to Grade 12.

Print your
Certified Wildlife Habitat® application HERE.

Visit nwf.org/garden to certify today!
CFM Store
 
I ♥ Clean Water T-shirt
~ $15.00 ~
 
Items are available for 
purchase on the
CFM Annual Convention
March 10-12, 2017
Please make plans to join us March 10-12, 2017 at our 81st CFM Annual Convention in Jefferson City at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. We are making preparations for our biggest and best convention ever. 
 
We have been working hard to make this year's convention truly special. Our annual awards ceremony, hosted by our partner Bass Pro Shops, takes place Friday evening. We will be recognizing numerous outstanding Missouri conservationists. On Saturday night our banquet includes a wonderful dinner, fellowship among friends, and our famous auction.
 
Each year many businesses, affiliates and individuals contribute to our success by underwriting part of our costs for the weekend. We are deeply grateful for this incredible generosity. If you are planning to attend and have any items for our auction please get them to us at your earliest convenience. This will allow us time to plan for their effective use.  
 
So, mark your calendar, and plan to join us as we celebrate conservation at our annual convention. 
    

Conservation Scholarships
Deadline - January 31, 2017

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) and the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust have numerous scholarships available to high school, undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a degree in conservation.

Charles P. Bell Scholarships:  Named for Charles P. Bell, a past president of the CFM, whose family provided major funding for this program. Eight scholarships awards each year: one graduate level in the amount of $600, one undergraduate level in the amount of $500 and six elementary, high school or youth group in the amount of $250.

Judd Kirkham Scholarship:  $1,000 scholarship awarded to  an upperclassman or graduate student who is currently a member of CFM (or whose family is a member) and is studying big game.

Ed Stegner Scholarship:  Funding for these scholarships was provided by Ed Stegner, previous CFM Executive Director. These scholarships are a joint venture with the following professional societies: Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Missouri Society of American Foresters, Missouri Parks and Recreation Association and the Missouri Show-me Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society. Each scholarship is $1,000.

Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarship:  These scholarships are a joint venture with the following professional societies: Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Missouri Society of American Foresters, Missouri Parks and Recreation Association and the Missouri Show-me Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society. Each scholarship is $1,000.

Minority Natural Resource Scholarship:  Provided to a minority student who is interested in a career in natural resource management, specifically in the fields of fisheries, wildlife, forestry, parks and recreation and soil and water conservation. This scholarship is $1,000.

Scholarship applications and more information can be found HERE.
Business Alliance Supporter
MidwayUSA
 
Midway USA was founded by Larry Potterfield who had a dream of running a gun shop. His dream became a reality with Midway USA, which is an internet retailer of shooting, hunting and outdoor products. They started back in 1977 with some hard work and a passion for serving customers, and that carries through their business today.
Sign Up for Our
Interactive Advocacy Portal

The Conservation Federation of Missouri has launched an Interactive Advocacy Portal. Once signed up, the system allows residents to see who their representatives are and send already written emails directly to them at the click of a button.

 

Sign up TODAY for FREE 
Conservation Federation Podcast
Episode 2: Collin O'Mara, CEO of NWF