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SCOTLAND COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation has appointed Michael Collins as the new conservation agent for Scotland County. Collins is among eight new agents of the Department's agent graduate class of 2015.
Collins received an Associate of Science degree in Administration of Justice from Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. He then transferred to Southeast Missouri State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology, which is where he says his true passion lies. Collins began work with the Conservation Department in March 2013 as a volunteer.
"As a volunteer I had the opportunity to gain many valuable experiences that led to my employment," Collins said. "I then began working for the Department of Conservation in March 2014 as the Angler Education Assistant with the Fisheries Division while I was living in Cape Girardeau. I continued to work in this position until I was accepted into the 2015 Conservation Agent Training Class in April 2015."
Collins grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and moved to Southeast Missouri in 2006.
"My years in Missouri have been spent near the small town of Naylor," he said, "and most of my time in the outdoors is spent hunting, fishing, sports, hiking and training coonhounds."
He said he is honored to be able to play a small part in protecting and conserving the natural resources for Missourians to enjoy, just as he has, for many years to come.
"As a young child, I remember going catfishing at the lake with my family, going hiking with my father, having family fish fries and being utterly excited at the sight of every deer I saw as well as the many other enjoyable memories I have made," Collins said. "I am an avid bow hunter, passionate turkey hunter and coon hunter and will cast my line in the water any chance that I have."
He added, "As a conservation agent, I can assist with many topics concerning our natural resources such as education, information on seasons and limits, other wildlife regulations, land management, lake and pond management, wildlife disease investigations, nuisance wildlife, or any other related questions."
To reach Scotland County Conservation Agent Michael Collins, call 660-216-1374 or email michael.collins@mdc.mo.gov.
