JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Sara Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, has been named co-chair of the Midwest Landscape Initiative steering committee, joining Craig Czarnecki of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Pauley replaces Jim Douglas, director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, who will retire Nov. 1 from his posts.

The Midwest Landscape Initiative is a multi-state collaboration among federal and state fish and wildlife agencies to identify and share conservation and management priorities to address at-risk species and habitat loss to achieve healthy, functioning ecosystems. The Initiative was launched in 2018.

“I am honored to step into this role,” Pauley said.  “We’ve always known conservation efforts stretch beyond state borders, and the Midwest Landscape Initiative pulls together people from across the region to really address areas of greatest conservation need. Together, we can make a greater difference in conserving natural landscapes and preserving the biodiversity.”

Pauley has been director of the Missouri Department of Conservation since 2016, and served as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 2010-2016.

She previously worked at a natural resources communications firm and as a deputy director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She also has taught natural resource policy and administration at the University of Missouri’s School of Natural Resources.