Photo Credit: Erin Woodiel and MDC
Deep Roots recognized Pauley for her career strengthening conservation partnerships.
At Plan It Native 2025, Deep Roots presented former Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Director Sara Parker Pauley with the inaugural White Oak Award. This award acknowledges Pauley’s career building a system of multi-sector partners which care for and nurture our natural systems.
Deep Roots created the White Oak Award to honor the valuable role of “keystone humans.” Keystone species, of course, refers to a species with significant influence in their natural environment. Keystone species can be apex predators, like wolves, but they can also be insects, plants, and fungi. The White Oak tree is a significant keystone species in our region as it holds complex ecosystems together. It provides significant food and shelter for thousands of species. While leading the Missouri Department of Conservation, Ms. Pauley built a thriving ecosystem of multi-sector partners to care for and nurture our natural systems, together. As this “human keystone,” she is responsible for making our human-partner ecosystems stronger, making our natural systems stronger along the way.
To commemorate the recognition, Deep Roots presented Pauley with a plaque made of White Oak wood, carved by Kansas City Art Institute student Emma Bland. Deep Roots also presented a White Oak wood chair carved by artist and Deep Roots volunteer Michael Chapman. Pauley’s White Oak Award chair is on display now at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, located at 4750 Troost Avenue in Kansas City, where it will reside permanently.
“I am both honored and humbled to receive the inaugural White Oak Award from Deep Roots,” said Pauley. “My career in conservation has been fueled by passion for the mission and collaboration with extraordinary colleagues and partners, and I share this award with them. Together, we understand that the stewardship of our environment is vital to our own well-being; we survive and thrive together or not at all.”
Following the award presentation, Ms. Pauley delivered a midday keynote, Thriving Together: Missouri’s Conservation Journey and the Enduring Legacy of Leopold’s Land Ethic, as part of Plan It Native 2025. This year’s conference brought together more than 260 people to highlight all things native plants! In addition to Ms. Pauley, the event hosted Nancy Lawson, author of The Humane Gardener, and Doug Ladd, author of Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers as keynote speakers. Concurrent sessions boasted both regionally and nationally-known speakers, and the exhibit hall offered guests the opportunity to meet with native plant vendors and adjacent experts. Save the date for the next Plan It Native, February 10-11, 2026!
Many thanks to the 2025 sponsors which made Plan It Native possible.
Bur Oak Sponsors:
Izel Native Plants
The Miller Hammond Charitable Fund
Missouri Department of Conservation
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation
Black Cherry Sponsors:
The Evergy Green Team
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
Prairie Willow Sponsors:
Burns & McDonnell
Contain the Rain of Johnson County
Critical Site Products
Forrest Keeling Nursery
Gale-Hart/Montage
Habitat Architects
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
Leaf & Sky
Linda Hall Library
The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County
Prairie Birthday Farm
PrintForest
Red River Valley Design
Taylor Creek Restoration Nursery
Vireo
WSP
Sugar Maple Sponsors
City Roots Nursery
Heartland Conservation Alliance
Sow Wild Natives
