Since the Missouri Department of Conservation's inception in 1937, there have been only seven. Now in the midst of one the busiest periods of the year for the state agency, the MDC prepares to welcome its eighth director.

The MDC recently announced that on January 15, 2010, current director John Hoskins will retire, and current assistant director Bob Ziehmer replaces Hoskins, who announced his intention to retire at the Conservation Commission meeting in August. Commissioners immediately launched a national search for Hoskins' successor and found him right in their midst.

Ziehmer was officially named Hoskins' replacement earlier this month.

"The next director of our conservation department must be a visionary to face the challenges and opportunities we have today and in the future," commission chairman Chip McGeehan said. "He must be a communicator, a leader, a business thinker and a person on the forefront of conservation all wrapped into one. Bob Ziehmer is that person."

McGeehan continued by saying, "There is no doubt in my mind that Bob's every action as director will be guided by his devotion to citizen-led, science-based conservation."

Ziehmer accepted the new role with fervor.

"I am both humbled and excited by this opportunity the commission has entrusted to me," Ziehmer said. "This is a huge event for me and for my family."

One of Ziehmer's top priorities as director will be maintaining the citizen confidence and support that have made Missouri a national conservation leader.

"We need to have open dialog with Missourians about important issues," he said. "I welcome that. Citizen input and involvement are critical to conservation."

Ziehmer cited examples of citizen input that have been effective in the past such as public meetings on important topics, conducting surveys to ensure MDC services meet citizen needs and increasing the agency's use of diverse media outreach avenues for two-way communication.

Ziehmer, a native of California, Mo., lives with his wife and two daughters in his hometown. When asked about his personal interests and pastimes, Ziehmer included fishing, wildlife photography and hunting - especially bowhunting for deer and other big game.

Ziehmer received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in fish and wildlife management from the University of Missouri. His career with MDC began in 1991 as an assistant natural history biologist.

Since then, he has worked as an environmental consultant, an endangered species and aquatic services biologist, a policy specialist, a government relations specialist and most recently, his role as assistant director. Ziehmer also worked as a wetlands specialist for the Missouri Department of Transportation for three years.

Ziehmer traces his career interest in conservation to his childhood experiences trapping, hunting and fishing with his father. He also notes that conservation agent Richard Schroeder, who was scoutmaster of Ziehmer's Boy Scout troop, took him on work patrols, providing exposure to on-the-ground conservation work at an early age.

Schroeder recalled how Ziehmer and his parents, Carl and Andree, were active conservationists and worked to improve wildlife habitat on their land.

"Years later, when Bob was in college, he used to ride along with me when I was working," Schroeder said. "We handed out seed for food plots, did educational programs and other normal agent work.

"Bob was a good scout. When he earned his Eagle Scout, I had to vouch for his character, and I was glad to do it."

Ziehmer commented on his time spent with this valuable mentor by saying one conservation worker really can make a difference.

"For as long as I can recall, the outdoors has been an important part of my life," Ziehmer said. "Serving in a position where I can help enhance the quality of forest, fish and wildlife resources and experiences for future generations is very satisfying and stimulating. It keeps my batteries charged."

Missouri's previous conservation directors, in order of their service were I.T. Bode, William E. Towell, Carl R. Noren, Larry R. Gale, Jerry J. Presley, Jerry Conley and Hoskins.

Outdoors reporter Jeff Leonard can be reached

at outdoors@npgco.com