Stephen Short is new MDC Resource Forester in Branson

BRANSON, Mo. – Tending to forestry needs on public and private land in Taney and Stone counties will be the primary duties of Stephen Short, who is the new resource forester at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Branson office.

Short began his duties March 1. He replaces Greg Cassell, who retired earlier this year.

Short will oversee the management of 17 MDC areas encompassing almost 5,000 acres. He will also work with landowners in Taney and Stone counties on forestry issues.

Short brings more than a decade of forestry experience into his current position. The Alabama native and University of Tennessee graduate worked with MDC as a resource forester at the agency’s Cassville Office from 2012-13. He then worked for the Arkansas Forestry Commission and also worked in the private sector prior to taking his current job.

“After working in the private sector, I’ve found there are some things I miss from my time working for the Department of Conservation,” Short said. “I really enjoyed working with the public in the form of Master Naturalists groups, FFA, 4-H, fairs, etc. I also really miss the wildland fire-fighting aspect of the Resource Forester position.”

 Short is officed at MDC’s office in Branson and can be reached at 417-334-3324 or at Stephen.Short@mdc.mo.gov. Landowners can get information about conservation-friendly forestry strategies for managing their land at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/forest-care