The second honoree introduced was Steve Bost, recognized for his lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of Missouri’s natural heritage. Introducing Bost was Julie Orf, a member of the Hall of Honor Committee. “I have the honor of introducing you to Steve Bost,” Orf said. “Steve was born in Kennett to Don and Dorothy Bost. He has a sister, Lisa, and a brother, Donald Ray. He and his wife, Angela, have four children — a daughter, Leslie, and three sons, Daniel, Sam, and Will.” Bost’s early life in Kennett was shaped by the flat, open fields of Dunklin County, but his heart was captured by the rugged beauty of the Ozarks during frequent family trips to their cabin near the Current River. Those formative experiences inspired a lifelong connection to nature and a calling that would eventually define his career. A 1976 graduate of Kennett High School, Bost went on to earn degrees in social studies and science from Arkansas State University and Southeast Missouri State University. He spent 15 years with Walmart, rising through the ranks to store manager positions in four states. Throughout his corporate career, he and his wife remained grounded in their faith and family. Ultimately, the pull of the outdoors led Bost to return to Missouri, where he began a 26-year career with Missouri State Parks. Working in areas from Wappapello to Montauk State Park, Bost focused on designing interactive outdoor programs that connected visitors with the natural and cultural history of the region. His work involved restoring a historic water-powered grist mill, managing maple syrup production, and participating in wildlife research — including handling bear cubs for conservation studies. In 2005, Bost embarked on what would become his most significant contribution: the rediscovery of the Ozark chinquapin tree, a species once believed to be extinct. In 2006, after years of searching, he found surviving specimens that reignited conservation efforts across the region. That discovery led to the creation of the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation website in 2007 and the establishment of the nonprofit organization in 2013. Since retiring from Missouri State Parks, Bost has dedicated himself full time to the foundation, partnering with federal, state and university researchers to restore the species. Through public outreach, education and advocacy, Bost continues to inspire stewardship of the environment and a respect for Missouri’s natural heritage. For his lifelong dedication to conservation and his lasting impact on the natural world, Steve Bost was inducted into the Dunklin County Hall of Honor. During his acceptance speech, Bost spoke extemporaneously, sharing stories of inspiration, purpose and the enduring power of nature. “I appreciate it,” Bost said. “I don’t have anything written down, but I’m really glad to be here — my wife both, and my best friend, Matthew, and his wife, Martha. “If you don’t leave here with any message at all, I would hope it would be this: I think all of us sitting in this room don’t fully realize the impact we have on the world around us or on other people — good or bad. They’ve done studies on these sorts of things where they ask kids and adults what they remember most from childhood. It’s always three things: the time you spend around the dinner table with your children, the vacations you go on, and the things you do outdoors. “When I look back on my life, the outdoors was woven into so many of my best memories. I grew up in the Bootheel, and I think sometimes your appreciation for things is greater when you have a contrast. I love the Bootheel — it’s always home. Every couple of weeks, we’d go up to a little shack we had on a creek by the Current River, which is now part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. That’s where I learned to swim and where I gained my love for nature. “If it weren’t for one man from Missouri, who died at the age of 100, I never would have learned about this tree — the Ozark chinquapin. Because of him, we brought back a tree that everyone said was extinct from the planet. And just in the past few years, we’ve found that it may have even grown right here in Kennett. It’s our native chestnut tree — its nuts are sweet to eat — and the name ‘chinquapin’ comes from the Algonquin word meaning ‘little tasty chestnut.’ “We’ve made progress toward beating the disease that wiped out this tree, which once fed bears, deer and turkeys across our forests. We’ve found evidence of it near Campbell, in a town once called Mohark, and in other parts of the southern Bootheel. It’s incredible to be part of bringing back something that was thought to be lost forever. “National Geographic even came to Missouri in 2019 to do a story on this work. Restoring something that was extinct from the Earth — that’s a different kind of job, and it’s been an amazing journey. We’ve been successful, and it’s something everyone here can take pride in. “All of us can make a difference in our world — not just for wildlife, but for our children, who will inherit it. Thank you all for letting me come out and speak to you today.” Bost concluded by encouraging those in attendance to visit the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation website to learn more about the project, noting, “It’s very exciting to be part of bringing a species back from the brink of extinction — and I’m honored to share that story with all of you.”