Mark Twain National Forest launches mapping effort to strengthen land stewardship network

The Mark Twain National Forest has kicked off a new effort to build a network of groups and residents that can help one another care for Missouri’s natural landscapes. As part of the Missouri Outdoor Connections project, the Forest is asking organizations that play a role or have an interest in Missouri’s natural areas to complete a survey. Scientists will use the survey results to create a comprehensive map of the myriad civic groups working to strengthen communities and environments across Missouri and the St. Louis metro-region.

Survey results will allow the Mark Twain National Forest and Forest Service’s Urban Connections program in St. Louis to bring together a large and diverse group of land stewards. Through this project, gardeners, trail club members, educators, community organizers and many others can join together to take care of the land.

Researchers are asking groups that take care of the local environment, promote natural resource stewardship, or generally care for or promote sustainable public land usage to complete the Missouri Outdoor Connections Survey.

Stewardship mapping builds a database of environmental stewardship groups — large and small, from formal nonprofits to grassroots groups. This effort will focus on (but is not limited to) southern and central Missouri and the greater St. Louis area. The project is designed to help understand and strengthen civic capacity to care for the natural resources of Missouri’s landscapes. 

“If you are in a group that cares about public lands, or nature in general, then please take a little bit of time to fill out the survey and share it with others you know that would be interested in participating,” said Mark Twain National Forest Supervisor Dawn Laybolt. “The more participation we have, the more networks we can form to make positive changes together in the future!”

Complete the survey and get the chance to win up to $500 to support your group's stewardship efforts! Prize awards are made possible thanks to The Nature of Cities: 

Grand prize = $500 gift card (one group) 

Second prize = $100 gift card (one group) 

Third prize = $50 gift card (five groups) 

All groups responding to the survey will be entered into the drawing (one entry per group). 

This process will: 1) identify, connect, and leverage existing and potential partners; 2) increase work across forest and city boundaries; and 3) help the Forest Service understand the extent to which lands are being cared for and why. By focusing on delivering benefits through shared stewardship, future partnerships have the potential to increase economic stability in communities in the region.

The Stewardship Mapping and Assessment Project (STEW-MAP), a research tool and mapping platform, is the guiding force behind the Missouri Outdoor Connections project. Since 2007, stewardship mapping has expanded nationally and internationally. STEW-MAP projects are bringing people together in Baltimore; Philadelphia; Seattle; Chicago; Portland, Maine; Los Angeles; Hawaii; France; Puerto Rico; Dominican Republic; and Colombia.

The Missouri Outdoor Connections project is a stewardship mapping project that is geared toward building a network of all people interested in the outdoors and connecting with others to take care of the region’s natural areas. Learn more about this research project on the Missouri Outdoor Connections webpage. Please direct questions about the survey to SM.FS.ConnectMO@usda.gov.