JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The incoming director of the Missouri Department of Conservation says addressing falling revenue will be among his top short-term priorities.

Bob Ziehmer takes over Jan. 15 from conservation director John Hoskins, who's retiring.

The Department of Conservation gets more than half its funding from a statewide sales tax. Revenue has declined as consumers spend less during the recession.

Ziehmer says the agency isn't in a crisis mode but must work to identify its top priorities.

Ziehmer says another top goal is to ensure that Missourians remain confident in the department's decisions and leadership.