The Missouri Department of Conservation has named its first female director since it was formed in 1937. Sara Parker Pauley will begin the job on November 1.
“Pauley is an excellent and well-qualified choice as Conservation Director,” said Gov. Jay Nixon in a news release from MDC.
The Missouri native has served as the Director of Missouri Department of Natural Resources since 2010. She’s worked as a project manager for D.J. Case & Associates, a natural resources communications firm, and she’s worked with federal and state agencies on policy development, marketing and environmental compliance. She also served as chief of staff to former Missouri House Speaker Steve Gaw.
Pauley has been an executive committee and board member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. She was a member of the board of the American National Fish & Wildlife Museum, where she served as director of conservation programs. She has published a number of articles on wildlife and natural resources management.
The University of Missouri-Columbia alumna is a lifelong conservationist, hunter, and outdoorswoman.
Pauley says she looks forward to “working with the staff, dedicated volunteers, and committed partners to lead this agency into the future.”
Conservation Commission Chair Dave Murphy said, “Sara has a breadth of experience and a proven track record of success to lead the Department.”
Pauley will replace Robert Ziehmer, who resigned in July to work in the private sector.