The following are completed and projected Chapter activities and highlights included in the Missouri Show-Me Chapter, Soil and Water Conservation Society Year 2001 Annual Report:

• Executive Council meetings were held in March, June, August, October, and January during the Missouri Natural Resources Conference January 30, 2002. In addition one General Meeting was conducted. Minutes of these meetings were included in the four quarterly newsletters that are available the chapter website. http://swcs.missouri.edu
• A special Finance Committee was assigned the task of providing funding recommendation to the executive council based on the Long-Range Plan for 2000-2005.
• The Executive Council developed a Chapter 2001 Action Plan of Work and Operating Budget as well as reviewed/updated the Long-Range Plan for years 2000 – 2005.
• Held our annual Fall Forum titled "Whose River Is It? Concerns and Issues on the Proposed Flood Regime of the Missouri River at the Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday, October 17, 2001. Speakers included representatives from the Missouri Farm Bureau, the COE, American Rivers, and Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Approximately 70 people attended. This forum provided 3.0 CEUs as approved by the Missouri Certified Crop Advisor Program. (Information was posted on the Chapter website)
• Co-sponsored a conference titled "Water Quality: What Goes Around, Comes Around". This conference informed participants what the North Fork Project is, discussed opportunities for financial assistance, and watershed planning and management. This course provided 6.0 hours training requirements toward DNR water and wastewater operator license renewal. Approximately 140 people attended the conference.
• Along with local chapters of the American Foresters, the Wildlife Society, the American Fisheries Society, our chapter co-sponsored the Missouri Natural Resources Conference at Tan-Tar-A Marriott Resort at Lake Ozark, Missouri, a three-day conference titled "Steams – Dividing And Uniting The Landscape". In addition to three workshops on design and function of riparian management systems, an introductory level course on how a stream works, and a citizens forum and legislative update, the conference offered approximately 60 concurrent sessions related to forests, rivers, soils, technology and education, and wildlife. Approximately 1,100 people were in attendance. The 2001 conference was hosted by the Missouri Show-Me Chapter and it was held on January 31-February 2, 2001. Keynote speakers this year included Dr. Paul W. Johnson, and Craig Cox. Over 1,100 people attended this conference.
• During the 2001 MNRC the chapter sponsored a workshop titled "Not all watersheds are created equal: Using soil surveys for watershed assessment and management". It provided training in how soil surveys can be used in watershed assessment and management. Approximately 150 people attended this specific workshop.
• Provided $2,500.00 in financial support to the Mid-American Grassland Evaluation Contest to update the study guide. This is a national level competition for 4-H and FFA students.
• Chapter President, Gary Baclesse, President-Elect, Diane Bradley, and Past President, Bob Ball, served on the MNRC Quad Societies Leadership Council, which is comprised of the top leadership from four professional natural resource societies in the state: Missouri Wildlife Society, Missouri Society of American Fisheries, Missouri Society of American Foresters and the Missouri Show-Me Chapter, SWCS.
• The Chapter awarded one $1,000 and one $500 scholarship during our Chapter business meeting January 31st. The scholarship committee updated the brochure, announced and provided news releases for this year's Betty Broemmelsiek Memorial Conservation Scholarships. The Chapter website includes a scholarship feature.
• The chapter announced a campaign to endow the Betty Broemmelsiek Memorial Scholarship in soil and water conservation and related natural resources. Once funded, the endowment will enable the chapter to perpetually finance the annual scholarships. To date $1,900 as been raised with a goal of $40,000.
• The Chapter's website was upgraded to better serve our membership. Additional upgrades are planned. http:/swcs.missouri.edu
• The Treasurer for the Chapter received an independent audit on his financial records. No deficiencies were noted, and all recommendations have been adopted.
• A $750 donation from the Chapter to the Missouri State Envirothon Competition provided T-Shirts for participating high school students. The coach for the competition-winning Norborne team received the "Educator of the Year" award.
• The Chapter provided $500 financial support and in-kind assistance to the Natural Resources Career Camp held annually over two weeks for high school students interested in pursuing careers in natural resources management.
• Several Chapter awards were presented to deserving recipients during the Missouri Natural Resources Conference: Professional Conservationist of the Year, Legislative Award, Media Award, Educator of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year. President, Gary Baclesse, recognized four chapter members with "Chapter President's Award" plaques for tremendous support to the Executive Council and Chapter during the year.
• The Chapter supported 4 officers/members to attend the WNC-Leadership Development Workshop in Illinois for 2001 and the Chapter President attended the SWCS annual meeting chapter development workshop.
• The Chapter conducted one fundraiser (raffle/silent auction) that generated $1,400 to support the Chapter scholarship program.
• The Chapter developed Officer/Committee Chair Responsibilities and Duties. This are posted on the Chapter website.
• "Changes Facing Agriculture" is the initial theme for a West North Central region conference to be held during 2002. Chapter members Dan Downing and Ken Bruene serve on a planning committee for this proposed conference.
• Chapter Past President, Gary Van De Velde, serves on the Conservation Federation of Missouri Board of Directors as the Chapter's Liaison to the Federation.
• A Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) workshop was conducted March 20, 2001 in Springfield, Missouri. Several chapter members are helping plan the workshop. Seven individuals within the state now hold the CPESC certification.
• The Chapter updated the By-laws to make them more current with the times.
• The Chapter wrote letters to our two United States Senators seeking support of the Farm Bill. .
• The Chapter produced 4 "newsletters" to report chapter activities and progress to its members. .