The Nature Conservancy has hired Preston Mabry as the new Current River Project Manager in the Missouri Ozarks. Mabry will work to restore and preserve the health of Ozark natural communities, including the Current River watershed. His focus will be sustainable land management practices that promote biodiversity, preserve critical natural features, and prevent degradation of lands, rivers, and streams.

Mabry was born and raised in Van Buren and has lived along the Current River most of his life. “I remember camping, fishing, and enjoying spending time on the gravel bar with my dad when I was young. I look back and hope I can bring those same memories to my children,” Mabry said.

Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Mabry worked as a conservation agent and conservation aide for the Missouri Department of Conservation for eight years. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biology from Southeast Missouri State University.

Mabry said, “Being raised on the Current River has given me a great love and passion for the area and the communities that thrive on it. I look forward to my role at the Conservancy, where I’ll be able to use sound management strategies to help protect the Current River watershed’s majestic scenery and exceptional biodiversity.”

The Ozarks are geologically extraordinary and encompass an incredible variety of habitats including caves, canebreaks, cliffs, rivers, springs, oak woodlands, pine forests, specialized wetlands, savannas, and glades. The region provides critical breeding habitat for migratory birds and shelters 407 globally significant species, including the Ozark hellbender salamander. Rare orchids, wood frogs, dragonflies, crayfish, mussels, and fish also occur here.

More than 91,000 acres in the Ozarks are protected by permanent conservation easements. These easements maintain water and timber quality using sustainable forestry, while maintaining economic viability of the tracts.

The Conservancy manages three Ozarks preserves open to the public for hiking, bird-watching, and other low-impact recreational activities. For more information, visit www.nature.org/missouri and click on “Places We Protect.”