Anna Swearengen

Volunteer Engagement Assistant (Southwest and Ozark Regional Area)

Hello, my name is Anna Swearengen, and I am the new Volunteer Engagement Assistant for the Southwest and Ozark Regions. I grew up around Joplin, Missouri and now work primarily out of the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center in Joplin. It has been extremely rewarding to give back to the community I have lived in almost my whole life. I actually went to college in Joplin as well and recently graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a bachelor's degree in Conservation Biology.

This position is my first job in the conservation field, but throughout school I was able to get some incredible knowledge and hands on experience such as chemical water monitoring, looking for macroinvertebrates, removing invasive aquatic plants, and even taking a study abroad trip with other conservation students to do field work in Belize. I was also very involved in campus life and was an officer and member of many different clubs, some relevant ones including the President of the Environmental Health and Safety Club, Public Relations officer for the Women in Science Club, and a member of the Wildlife Society.

 I grew up camping a lot with my family and occasionally fishing and hunting with my dad. I always had a love for animals and the outdoors, but really realized my passion in high school when all my research paper topics seemed to revolve around environmental issues. For my high school senior project where we were supposed to research careers, I investigated fields in Conservation and knew that was what I wanted to study… and the rest is history! When I’m not at work I enjoy hiking, camping, yoga, traveling, teaching swim lessons, and taking a nap with my dog.

Phone: (417) 629-3434

Email: Anna.Swearengen@mdc.mo.gov