Conservation Federation Mourns Loss of Pioneer

Bill was born August 30, 1918, in Howard County near Fayette. At 17-years old, he attended the first meeting of the Conservation Federation of Missouri in Columbia on September 10, 1935.

“Bill Crawford was a founding father of the Conservation Federation who went on to become a luminary known across the country for his contributions to conservation. He helped set the course of the greatest conservation movement any state has ever known,” said Brandon Butler, CFM executive director. “He was also one of the finest gentleman I’ve ever had the privilege to know.”

Bill was proud of studying under Rudolf Bennitt at University of Missouri where he obtained his Master’s Degree in wildlife biology. Upon graduating, Bill went to work for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).  He spent 42 years with the department, rising to Chief of Wildlife Research. He is responsible for establishing the Natural Areas effort at MDC.

Bill was also actively involved in non-profit conservation work. There are too many accomplishments and accolades to list them all, but a few highlights include serving as president of the National Wildlife Society, president of the Boone County Historical Society, and co-founding the Missouri Prairie Foundation. He was awarded the Master Conservationist by MDC in 2010, the Conservation Federation of Missouri Distinguished Service Award and the E. Sydney Stephens Professional Wildlife Award from the Wildlife Society.