The Commission is vested with control, management, restoration, conservation, and regulation of fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state.

[1] The Department of Conservation owns and oversees hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, and reservations, and enforces the state wildlife code.

[2] The Commission consists of four individuals appointed by the Governor of Missouri to serve unpaid 6-year terms.

As of 2020, the ninth and current director of the Department of Conservation is Sara Parker Pauley.

[3] The MDC administers hundreds of parcels of land in all counties of the state.