A conservationist was posthumously inducted into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame earlier this month.
Joel M. Vance died in December 2020 at 86 years old. The former Russellville resident was nominated for the title by his family members and they accepted the award on his behalf June 17 in Jefferson City, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Vance worked with MDC from 1969 to 1991, MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said during the induction.
“Mr. Vance contributed to the Department by being the highly respected and widely heard clarion voice of conservation in the state, giving talks on behalf of the Department, conducting seminars and workshops, and helping establish a Public Affairs section for MDC in 1986,” Pauley said about the 45th inductee.