Missouri Renews Its Commitment to the Lands and Waters That Sustain Us

Missourians delivered a robust endorsement of conservation this month, voting overwhelmingly to resume the Parks, Soils and Water Gross sales Tax with an unofficial 82% approval. The voters confirmed they deeply worth state parks, public lands, soil and water assets—and are prepared to spend money on defending them for generations to come back.  

This one tenth of 1 p.c gross sales tax funds Missouri State Parks and Historic Websites, in addition to soil and water conservation applications statewide. Including ten cents to each $100 spent, it generated roughly $69.9 million final 12 months, offering roughly 75% of the Missouri State Parks finances and allowed for free admission to Missouri’s state parks. For the portion of the gross sales tax that goes to state parks, Missourians on common contribute $10 a 12 months—significantly much less than the price of one-time admission in most different states. 

With this vote, Missourians have as soon as once more affirmed the significance of public funding for the locations birds and other people want, persevering with a legacy of help by means of statewide votes that started in 1988 and continued by means of 1996, 2006, 2016 and 2026. 

Audubon is proud to have supported a profitable poll initiative and considerate funding mechanism to help the locations birds and other people want, in addition to vital soil and water applications that assist farmers and landowners defend and preserve vital assets on their land. We’re deeply grateful to everybody who performed a task on this effort and be part of the celebration of this vital affirmation of the worth of public funding for public lands.