Mark your calendar for the Governor’s Conference on Natural Resources!
Join us Nov. 16-17, at the White River Conference Center in Springfield, for the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Natural Resources. The event will feature panel discussions and breakout sessions highlighting issues related to energy, environment and agriculture, along with discussions about state parks and other hot topics. Along with a plenary question and answer session where department leadership share their vision and priorities, you can expect discussions and presentations on:
- Missouri’s energy landscape and goals, the new State Energy Plan, preparing for increased energy demand, new energy projects and financing options.
- Missouri’s critical mineral production and our state’s role in the supply chain.
- Geohazard risks and MoDNR’s new Hydrology Information Center.
- Agriculture and regulatory challenges, reducing nutrient loss and soil and water partnerships.
- How MoDNR assists when disaster strikes.
- Financing for critical water infrastructure.
- State parks, historic sites and the new Shepherd of the Hills State Park in Taney County.
We will release a full agenda with a list of guest speakers soon.
Registration
Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss out on early bird savings through the month of July. Registration includes two days filled with exciting panel discussions and presentations by some of the state’s leading experts, lunch both days and an hors d’oeuvre reception.
The cost of registration is $180 for early bird and $200 for regular registration. Early bird discounts are limited to the first 75 registrants and ends July 31.
Seats are limited. Visit the Whova app registration page to sign up today!
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on how to access the event in Whova. Use the app to make your own personalized agenda for the conference, connect with other attendees and get notifications about any updates or announcements.
For more information on using the Whova app, visit the Whova Attendee User Guide.
Agenda
Conference Day 1 - Nov. 16, 2026
9 a.m. - Registration
10 a.m. - Plenary Session - Kurt Schaefer (MoDNR)
11:30 a.m. - Lunch and Hot Topics Panel - Kurt Schaefer (MoDNR), Jake Buxton (MoDNR), Kyra Moore (MoDNR)
Director Schaefer and Deputy Directors Kyra Moore and Jake Buxton will share their visions and priorities and answer any questions participants might have about where the department is going and how we are going to get there.
1 p.m. - Energy Overview and State Goals - Panelists: Emily Wilbur (MoDNR-DE); John Mitchell (PSC); Caleb Jones (AMEC) - invited; Connie Ford (MPUA)
An overview of the evolution of Missouri’s energy landscape, from understanding the challenges and opportunities that are shaping today’s grid to a summary of how Missouri plans to adapt and prepare for the rise of energy demand across the nation.
2:15 p.m. - Critical Minerals Supply Chains Panel - Panelists: Amber Steele (MoDNR-MGS/GSP); Ken Tomlin (MoDNR-DE); Art Goodin (MoDNR-DEQ); Kwame Awah-Offei (Missouri S&T); Anthony Caruso (UMKC)
Missouri, which hosts 36 of the 60 mineral commodities identified by the USGS as critical to the national economy and security, is well suited to lead the nation in all facets of critical mineral development, from exploration to post-processing. Topics of discussion will cover efforts in Missouri related to exploration, extraction, processing, manufacturing, recycling, policy, energy, workforce development, and the Missouri Critical Minerals Plan.
3:30 p.m. - Agriculture Panel - Panelists: Kurt Schaefer (MoDNR); Chris Chinn (MDA); Garrett Hawkins (MoFB); Bradley Shad (Missouri Corn); Casey Wasser (Missouri Soybeans)
Agriculture is one of Missouri’s most critical industries. It not only supports our food chain, but its impact reaches far into the threads of Missouri’s communities. This session will explore the importance of working together through complex regulatory challenges to effectively managing precious resources needed to support the industry. Topics will cover crossroads of priorities between MoDNR and various agriculture groups, protecting water resources in Missouri, and exploring the impacts of meeting demand for electricity on our rural communities.
4:30 p.m. - Networking
5 - 8 p.m. - Reception with Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
Conference Day 2 - Nov. 17, 2026
Breakout Sessions (40 minutes each - 10 minute break between sessions)
| Session 1 - (8 a.m.) | Session 2 (8:50 a.m.) |
|---|---|
Roots of Success: MO Soil and Water Partnerships - Panelists: Kurt Boeckmann (Missouri Corn); Andrea Rice (Fertilizer Control Board); Nate Goodrich (NRCS); Ryan Britt (MASWCD); Gary Vandiver (SWCD Commissioner); Jim Plassmeyer (MoDNR-MGS/SWCP) This session will bring together key partners from across Missouri’s agriculture and conservation landscape to highlight successful collaboration among federal and state agencies in addition to commodity groups, local organizations and cooperatives. | |
When Disaster Strikes: How MoDNR Assists Missourians in Times of Need - Panelists: Liam Hazen (MoDNR-DEQ/EER); Josh Wilkerson (MoDNR-DEQ/SERO); Jason Kirkman (MoDNR-DEQ/SWRO) Learn how MoDNR supports communities through environmental emergencies and natural disasters. Speakers from our Environmental Emergency Response team and regional offices will discuss real world examples of providing on the ground support, coordinating response efforts, offering technical assistance for debris management, and helping protect critical water and wastewater services. | State of Missouri’s Geohazard Risk - Panelists: Fletcher Bone (MoDNR-MGS/GSP); Austin Rehagen (MoDNR-MGS/LRP); Ryan Stack (MoDNR-MGS/DRSP) Missouri faces several types of potential geologic hazards, including sinkholes, earthquakes, dangerous historic mine shafts, and aging dam infrastructure. The Missouri Geological Survey will provide an overview of geologic hazards in Missouri, including case studies, the state of our knowledge and understanding of risk, and general mitigation strategies and resources. |
Powering the Future of Missouri - Panelists: Martin Hyman (MoDNR-DE); Marisa Chrysochoou (MU/Engineering); Julie Cater (DHEWD/OWD); Mo Dehghani (Missouri S&T); Chris Muenks (State Tech) A discussion about how Missouri is preparing to meet the increased demand for energy as shown in the State Energy Plan, including advancing nuclear priorities, economic development opportunities, and expanding workforce development. | |
| Session 1 - (10 a.m.) | Session 2 (10:50 a.m.) |
|---|---|
Strengthening Communities through Financing Critical Water Infrastructure - Panelists: Greg Powell (MoDNR-DEQ/FAC); Kirkland Preston (City of Springfield); Steve Dalton (City of Branson West) Join us for an inside look at how MoDNR assists communities in securing funding to improve vital water infrastructure. Our Financial Assistance Center will walk through the funding process, and speakers from two Missouri communities will share their own project experiences and how partnering with MoDNR supported their success. | |
Reducing Nutrient Loss: Practices, Partnerships, and Progress - Panelists: Clayton Light (Missouri Soybeans); Dr. Kelly Nelson (MU) This session will provide an overview of Missouri’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy highlighting conservation practices and technologies that support Missouri’s broader goals of improving water quality and soil health. | Missouri Hydrology Information Center (MoHIC) - Panelists: Zack Becker (MoDNR-MGS/WRC); John Travlos (MU Extension) Following flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in 2019, the department created the Missouri Hydrology Information Center (MoHIC) with the objective of compiling a variety of hydrologic measurements and forecasts onto an accessible public website and mobile app that increases flood and drought awareness. This session will cover key MoHIC efforts and how this information can be used to protect lives and property in urban and rural communities as well as to support agricultural decision making. |
State Energy Planning and Financing - Panelists: Joseph Boland (EIERA); Tom Hucker (DOE/EDF) - invited; Emily Wilbur (MoDNR-DE) A discussion about financing options for in-state generation development, nuclear buildout, and other energy projects identified within the State Energy Plan. | Shepherd of the Hills State Park: Acquisition to Opening Day - Speaker: Sam Blecha and Taylor Steinfeldt (MoDNR-MSP/Shepherd of the Hill State Park) This session explores the process of opening Shepherd of the Hills State Park to the public and highlights the stewardship activities underway behind the scenes. Attendees will gain insight into the planning, restoration and development shaping the park as it moves from concept into construction toward opening day. |
11:30 a.m. - Lunch and Special VIP Speaker
Speakers
More information coming soon!
Sponsors
Increase your brand visibility and connect with a targeted audience of natural resource professionals by securing your conference sponsorship today. Sponsorship of the Governor's Conference on Natural Resources is now available and includes the following levels and benefits:
- Cobalt Sponsor: $1,000
Cobalt sponsors will receive two conference passes, sponsor advertisement and a booth with power. - Nickel Sponsor: $750
Nickel sponsors will receive one conference pass, break sponsorship and a booth with power. - Zinc Sponsor: $500
Zinc sponsors will receive one conference pass and a booth with power. - Hospitality Sponsor: $2,500
Exclusive lunch sponsor with sponsor advertisement and two conference passes.
Visit the Whova Sponsor site to register your sponsorship.
Event Details
Contact Information
Department of Natural Resources
Address
1101 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States
Main
Toll-free
Email
