A white barn and wooden overlook platform in a field of native grasses. — Conservation in Action Guests visiting Dunn Ranch Prairie look at the expansive native prairie that TNC has been restoring since 1999.

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A man sitting outside smiling for the camera. — **Adam McLane** Missouri State Director © Kristy Stoyer/TNC

We are on a mission.

We have an important mission at The Nature Conservancy: Conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

That simple statement creates the framework for what we do. It helps us determine our priorities and figure out when to say yes and when to say no. It keeps us aimed in the right direction when a thousand distractions threaten to pull us off course.

All of that is important, critical even. But it is not enough to simply have a mission in Missouri—we have to be on a mission. That difference adds velocity to our work.

We know there are many conservation organizations with a shared mission that you could support—and we hope you do. So, what makes us different? Why should you join us on our mission?

TNC’s role is unique. We are designed to be a catalyst for conservation. We are a global organization with local agility. Thanks to private funding, we have the ability to take risks on innovative techniques that provide the data and test cases that others can then use to drive progress far beyond our own work.

We are conveners. We leverage our resources, science, expertise and networks to facilitate collaboration and build consensus among diverse stakeholders. It’s a role that is essential for the kind of large-scale transformative projects that are needed to move the needle.

We take on these roles because, often, others are not in a position to do so, and we believe they are critical to the long-term trajectory of conservation well beyond any specific project.

We don’t want to duplicate what others are doing. We look for spaces where we can provide the missing piece for success. But for TNC, these victories wouldn’t happen.

That’s what makes us different.

We have aggressive goals, but I know we will succeed. Our staff and trustees are a smart, passionate group, and they understand the assignment. And believe me when I tell you, they are on a mission.

Adam McLane
Missouri State Director