National Society fo the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Ozark Spring Chapter Regent Jan Tappana recently presented area historian Dr. Rick Mansfield with a DAR Conservation Medal and Conservation Certificate Award.
The award, given to Mansfield April 6, may only be presented once per recipient and recognizes adult and youth volunteers with distinguished conservation records, businesses that show sustained efforts to improve the environment or education the public on conservation issues, and paid individuals who go above and beyond the requirements of their jobs, DAR officials explained.
Mansfield is a retired educator, having earned a master’s degree in reading and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy management. He spent most of his teaching career in rural schools and was both an elementary school principal and superintendent before he retired.
“Rick practices what he ‘teaches’ in the preservation of our nation’s history and in environment conservation,” Ozark Spring Daughters shared.
Mansfield founded the Ozark Heritage Project (OHP) nearly two decades ago and continues to serve as its president. OHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Ozarks culture and environment. OHP operates within the framework of the United States Constitution as created by the Founding Fathers, getting inspiration and guidance from the Word of God. Through OHP, Mansfield annually removes “literally tons” of debris — more than 20 tons each year since the 2017 flooding — from Missouri’s streams and watersheds, said Daughters.
In addition to his efforts to clean up the Ozark waterways, Mansfield’s activities include helping to restore several historic buildings such as the old barn at Montauk State Park. He has planted thousands of native trees and willow cuttings on both public (Montauk State Park and public schools) and private properties to prevent erosion and further provide habitat for native birds and small mammals. He has started acres of pollinator gardens for butterflies and bees.
Mansfield combines historical storytelling and writing to preserve iconic aspects of Ozark culture while combining the traditions with appreciation for and care of the physical environment that framed them. He has authored 10 books, several of which specifically address preservation. For the past 40 years, he has hosted numerous fishing trips around Missouri, many within federal and state parks and private properties, to introduce hundreds of young people to the outdoors and to teach them safe and ethical ways to fish.
To be eligible for the recognition, a nominee must have a nomination of worthy recognition submitted to the National Conservation Committee, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and must be accompanied by professional letters of recommendations from others in in their fields which highlight the nominees’ lasting contributions in wildlife and nature centers, resource management, park establishment, youth leadership, conservation-related media and education.
