The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy in Missouri announced today that Todd Sampsell has been hired as the State Director. Sampsell is located in the Conservancy’s St. Louis office, and assumed his new position on January 1, 2011.

Sampsell comes to Missouri from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Conservancy, where he served as Deputy State Director. Prior to his employment at the Conservancy, Sampsell gained leadership and conservation experience as executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and as program director of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Rob McKim, Director for the Central Division of the Conservancy, is pleased to welcome Sampsell to the Missouri team.  “Todd has been an active and energetic leader in conservation his entire career.  He has demonstrated a firm understanding of the need for creative projects related to forestry and freshwater conservation that will fit perfectly with Missouri’s heritage of conservation and balanced human use.”

An ecologist by trade, Sampsell has well over a decade of experience in conservation planning, land trust development, aquatic and watershed research, invasive species management, and wildlife biology. He has negotiated numerous large-scale management programs, and has a longstanding history of building strong partnerships with government agencies.

“Todd is an extremely well-rounded individual, and a wonderful fit for the state director position. The extensive experience and talent he brings to Missouri will be an enormous asset to the Chapter,” states Missouri Board Chair Nancy Ylvisaker.

Sampsell looks forward to assuming leadership of the Missouri Chapter. “The quality of the Conservancy’s team in Missouri and the foundation of conservation success make this an exciting opportunity for me. I’ve always admired Missourians’ appreciation of the state’s natural resources and investment in protecting the environment. I'm eager to strengthen partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies as well as other conservation-minded organizations. Most importantly, Missouri will make an excellent home for my family and is a place for my boys to enjoy wild places, clean waters, and all the state has to offer.”

Sampsell is a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He will move to the St. Louis area with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Joshua (9) and Jacob (5).