Discover Nature in Your Area
Find events, nature centers and conservation areas in your region.
Was it a bird or butterfly?
Not sure what you just saw? Use our online field guide’s advanced search to identify Missouri’s plants, animals and mushrooms in your area.
Get to know Missouri’s wildlife
Missouri’s first online field guide helps you identify and understand the plants, animals and mushrooms that make their home in the Show-Me state.
Tree And Forest Resources For You
Check out the list of resources for all of your tree questions.
Conservation Areas
Find public land close to where you live.
Who's My Local Contact?
Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists or your MDC regional office with our quick lookup system.
MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities
MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.
- Common Plants and Animals Learn about Missouri's common plants, animals and mushrooms, and get tips on how to avoid outdoor pests, such as chiggers, ticks and poison ivy.
- Cooking You had fun hunting, catching or gathering your quarry—now have more fun cooking and eating it. Browse recipes for Missouri's wild game and edibles.
- Discover Nature Programs Deepen your connections with nature and your family and friends. Offered through many MDC facilities and conservation areas, there's a Discover Nature program near you!
- Outdoor Recreation Enjoy outdoor Missouri? Use this section to get learn more about everything from birding to woodworking for wildlife.
- Outdoor Regulations Enjoy exploring nature on Missouri's conservation areas, but be sure to know the regulations. Even seemingly "low impact" activities can leaving a lasting impression on sensitive wildlife.
- Places to Go Find Missouri conservation areas, nature centers, fish hatcheries, natural areas and shooting ranges where you can pursue your favorite outdoor activity close to home or across the state.
- Trees Work Did you know that being around trees lowers your blood pressure and pulse? Guess what else. Kids perform better on tests and have reduced symptoms on ADHD after being in nature. Trees work. Find out about important and surprising benefits of trees, how we are letting people know about them, and what you can do to care for Missouri’s trees and forests. After all, Trees Work!
- Wildlife Cameras Can't get outside? Watch nesting falcons and other Missouri wildlife from web cameras stationed around the state.
- Wildlife Restoration Browse Missouri's wildlife restoration success stories.
- Wildlife Reporting Among the large animals you might see in Missouri are black bears, coyotes, feral hogs and mountain lions. Use this section to learn more about them, their tracks and field signs, and to report sightings.
- Peregrine Falcon Web CameraOur nest-box web camera at Ameren Missouri lets you watch a pair of peregrine falcons raise their young from March to June.
- Kansas City Falcon Web CameraThe peregrine falcon nesting box located atop the Commerce Tower is a partnership between MDC and NAI Capital Realty.
- SnakesWith its variety of wildlife habitats, Missouri is home to 47 species and subspecies of snakes. All snakes help control pest populations.
- Basic MushroomingSafe, successful Missouri mushroom hunting begins with good identification skills and a basic understanding of when, where, and how mushrooms grow.
- Snakes | Missouri Department of Conservation
- Field GuideWhat plant or animal is that? Identify and learn more about Missouri's plants, animals, and mushrooms.
- Early Signs of SpringAs we shovel snow and brace for cold north winds this week, it’s hard to feel very encouraged that spring is just around the corner.
- Free Nature Fun - Spring BirdsThis weekend is perfect for stepping outside with a pair of binoculars and your ears wide open to catch sight and sound of some colorful birds on their way north.
- We're Frost FreeIf you prefer warmer temperatures and you’re looking for the bright side of Tax Day, April 15 is also the average day of last frost in central Missouri.
- Plant a Tree, Sink Some Carbon!Since 1886, Missourians “officially” have counted the first Friday in April as Arbor Day.
- What’s This Thing in My Yard?Every spring I get a few contacts about a strange object in someone’s yard.
- What Is That Blob Outside?With the wet spring we’ve had (3 to 5 inches of rain above normal February to April in many Missouri counties), it’s no surprise that unusual things are growing out there.
- Attracting Bright Orange Birds to Your FeederFor eye-popping color, it’s hard to beat Baltimore orioles (called northern orioles for a while, then back to the earlier name).
- Why Missouri Native Seed?Nothing works better than native plants when it comes to creating a healthy landscape.
- Spring Wildflowers Popping UpThis is my favorite time of year when finally I start seeing new life pop up in the woods, along the streams, across the fields.
- Rods, Guns and Wild RosesWhen I started working for the Conservation Department, I felt a sense of being at home with people who deeply enjoyed nature and the outdoors as much as I did.
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/91
