August 2026 | A Legacy Worth Protecting for Generations

By Sean J. Vanslyke | sean@gosemo.com

On Aug. 4, 2026, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to decide the future of Amendment 1, which would renew the state’s one-tenth of one percent conservation sales tax for another 10 years.

As I thought about this issue, I found myself thinking less about politics and more about family. Like many families, Debbie and I enjoy camping when time allows. Some of our favorite memories have been made around a campfire, walking a trail, sitting by the water, or simply slowing down long enough to enjoy the outdoors. Our children and grandchildren enjoy many of those same experiences. They like to hike, explore, fish, and discover things that can’t be found on a phone or a television screen.

Those opportunities don’t happen by accident. We are blessed to live in Southeast Missouri, where agriculture, rivers, lakes, and outdoor recreation are all part of who we are. The land around us supports our economy, feeds our families, and provides places where memories are made across generations.

For more than 40 years, funding generated through this tax has helped protect Missouri’s natural resources. It supports local soil and water conservation districts that work with farmers and landowners to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and preserve productive farmland for future generations. The funding also supports Missouri’s state parks, trails, campgrounds, and historic sites. Because of this investment, Missouri remains one of only a handful of states that does not charge admission to its state parks. Families can enjoy these treasures without worrying about an entrance fee. Whether it’s a grandparent teaching a child how to fish, a family camping on a weekend getaway, or a farmer working to protect the soil that supports future crops, conservation touches our lives in ways we may not always notice.

As I was writing this column, I was reminded of a passage from my book of the month, The Common Sense Way by Pete Blaber: “If we can’t learn from the past and present, then we can’t adapt to future contingencies. If we can’t adapt, we will perish. It doesn’t matter whether your politics are left, right, center, or anywhere in between.”

I appreciate that perspective because conservation is ultimately about learning from the past, being responsible in the present, and preparing for the future. The decisions we make today will affect the land, water, parks, and outdoor experiences available to our children and grandchildren tomorrow. I hope my grandchildren have the same opportunity to explore a trail, cast a fishing line into a lake, sit around a campfire, and appreciate the beauty of Missouri just as our family has. Conservation is about more than protecting land. It’s about protecting experiences, traditions, and opportunities that help make Missouri—and especially Southeast Missouri—a wonderful place to call home. As voters consider Amendment 1 this August, I encourage them to think beyond the ballot and consider the legacy we leave behind. Some investments are measured in dollars. Others are measured in memories.

Vanslyke is general manager and chief executive officer of SEMO Electric Cooperative and GoSEMO Fiber