Events

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. We hope to find bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, trillium, wild phlox, and spring beauty. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.”

We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring water and magnifying glass if you have one. Please register each participant individually.

There are many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in Jackson County! The Missouri Department of Conservation is partnering with Blue Springs and Jackson County Parks and Recreation to offer this celebration of the outdoors in our community. The event will be held at Rotary Park, 600 NW Vesper St, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Activities include fishing, wild edible plants, birding, outdoor yoga, archery and so much more! There will be something for all ages.

Celebrate Earth Day all week with us! Most plastic materials are never recycled and end up in landfills or in the wild, potentially harming plants and animals. Volunteer Naturalist Dana Tideman will present appropriate ways to recycle and how to repurpose items in unique ways! All ages.

Red, blue, white, and green; what beautiful colors appear in spring! Learn about the beautiful blooms in spring and participate in some fun and flowery sensory activities and crafts. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Has anyone ever copied you? That happens to some of Missouri’s wild animals. They get tricked by something that is a copy when they think it is real. Come watch as Runge’s Puppeteers show how copycats mimic other things. You can even discover why being a fake can really be good. No registration required. All ages.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Has anyone ever copied you? That happens to some of Missouri’s wild animals. They get tricked by something that is a copy when they think it is real. Come watch as Runge’s Puppeteers show how copycats mimic other things. You can even discover why being a fake can really be good. No registration required. All ages

Celebrate the spring season by heading out on a scavenger hunt! It will be fun for the whole family as you search for signs of spring. There will be an easy, moderate, and difficult scavenger hunt available. Just drop by, select the scavenger hunt page of your choice, and return completed pages for a small prize.

Celebrate Earth Day all week with us! Learn how different plants, fungi, and even animals clean up the environment, also called bioremediation. This program will not be recorded. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link.