The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) on Nov. 2 dedicated a 2,500-acre wetland unit for Lowell Mohler, a former member of the Missouri Conservation Commission. New maps for the Bob Brown Conservation Area in Holt County outline the Lowell Mohler Wetland Unit. The marshes in that unit are designated as waterfowl refuge Oct. 15-Jan. 15. Mohler served as a Missouri conservation commissioner from 2003 to 2009 and has also served in statewide leadership positions for agriculture.

Mohler and his wife, JoAnn, on Nov. 2 unveiled new signs marking the wetland unit during a ceremony at Bob Brown headquarters. Present for the event were his family, friends, high school classmates, MDC staff, and former MDC waterfowl biologists. Both he and JoAnn grew up in Holt County and have deep ties to the communities of Oregon and Forest City, Mo.

“Thanks to all MDC staff who make conservation land possible,” Mohler said. “Thanks for this honor, I appreciate it so much.”

MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said new programs to serve nature and people were implemented during Mohler’s years on the Missouri Conservation Commission. MDC began programs such as winter trout fishing in urban areas, the Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative, expansion of feral hog eradication programs, Missouri River research, and strong partnerships such as working with USDA wildlife habitat programs.

“Lowell has an amazing history of support for wildlife and building bridges between conservation and agriculture,” Pauley said.

Mohler is a farmer who has also served as director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and as chief operating officer of Missouri Farm Bureau. He also has served as a senior vice president for Ducks Unlimited, a board member of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, on the Missouri State Fair Commission, and as chairman of the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources Advisory Council.

“Lowell, you have dedicated your entire career to serving the public,” said Missouri Conservation Commissioner Marilynn Bradford. “That’s what public service is all about. Thank you for your service to conservation.”

Missouri State Sen. Dan Hegeman and State Rep. Allen Andrews congratulated Mohler on his career and the wetland named in his honor. Hegeman presented a senate resolution recognizing the honor.

Mohler said the wetland unit renaming is special to him for several reasons. Among them, the Bob Brown Conservation Area is close to where JoAnn’s parents had a farm. He’s also hunted in the area over the decades, from the 1940s to present day.

“This is a great farming county,” Mohler said. “But it is also a place where ducks come in and deer hunters visit. I want to thank everyone in conservation.”

For information about the Bob Brown Conservation Area, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZpT.