Ethan Regan named new conservation educator in MDC’s Central Region

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ethan Regan will combine his passion for education and love for the outdoors as he begins his new career as a conservation educator with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

Regan has served the past six years as a 7th grade science teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City. His past experience includes working as a science and algebra teacher at Trinity Lutheran School, a tutor in chemistry, and environmental and life science. In 2013, Regan joined MDC as a nature center volunteer at Runge Nature Center. During his eight-year tenure, he surpassed more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service and was named 2015 Volunteer of the Year.

Beginning June 1, Regan will work schools and educators in Saline, Howard, Cooper, Callaway, Audrain, and Montgomery counties.

“It is an honor to be joining the MDC team,” said Regan. “I am excited to continue the legacy of those before me and help maintain Missouri’s wonderful outdoors through education in a variety of ways.”

In his new position, Regan will provide opportunities for teachers to work with MDC’s Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program. DNS is a statewide conservation-based education program that incorporates outdoors learning into a variety of school subjects. DNS emphasizes hands-on learning, teaches problem-solving, and provides teachers with innovative outdoors-based options to add variety to their curriculums. More information about the DNS program can be found at https://education.mdc.mo.gov/.

Regan will also help coordinate hunter education classes and certification for his six counties. He will also promote the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) to schools in his counties.

Regan will be based out of MDC’s Central Regional Office in Columbia and can be reached at 573-815-7901 ext. 2866 or at Ethan.Regan@mdc.mo.gov.