Events

Share the experience of spring bird migration with us! Kennedy Forest in Forest Park attracts a high concentration of beautiful birds, and it's a "collector" for these birds escaping the concrete of the city. They will be looking for food, hopping around in the trees, and singing their little hearts out. How do they have enough energy and spunk to be singing after flying hundreds, if not thousands of miles?

If migration allows, we will be in for a spectacular show of colors, patterns, energy, and endurance! We will be moving slowly through the forest and savannah along 1.5 miles on established trails and stairs, looking for and learning about warblers, buntings, orioles, grosbeaks, flycatchers, and more!

We encourage all to attend. No prior bird knowledge required. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, bird field guide, and binoculars if you have them. There will be a limited number of binoculars to borrow.

**We will meet at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest. We'll meet near the corner of Wells Drive and the road leading to the Forest Park Picnic Pavilion #11. Park on Wells Drive.**

Please register each participant individually.

This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques. This event will take place on the static archery range. All equipment will be provided.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! We will have free and fun activities for adults and children alike. Discover ways you can help bird conservation at the Howard Woods Urban Outreach Office, Brightside Demo Garden, and St. Louis Public Library- Kingshighway Branch to earn a bird-friendly prize.

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.

What's all this buzz about bees? We'll discuss bee species native to Missouri, the life cycle of a bee, and why bees are important to our ecosystem.

There will also bee a movie and a game of BEE-NGO! It is sure to be a great time!

Please contact Lance Lewis, Community Education Assistant with any questions.

Lance.Lewis@mdc.mo.gov

Join Volunteer Naturalist Mike Mihalik to explore spring wildflowers at Cedar Gap Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring a snack and water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. We will hike the 1.6-mile loop trail.

Natural light is important to help balance and guide our natural world, especially at night. In urban areas such as St. Louis, you may not even be able to see the stars due to mass amounts of light, otherwise known as light pollution, being shown in the area. Hear about light pollution, how it effects our wildlife, and learn ways to help lend a hand to those who need the night sky. We will make a moving and impactful postcard craft that will be put on display for visitors to look at, and then we will mail you your postcards after they’re taken down so you can remember the program.

Meet an MDC naturalist in Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center classrooms C and D.

Registration required (ages 12+) Knowing the basics for constructing a simple shelter to escape the weather or spend the night in a wilderness situation is a valuable skill. Building forts and tipis in your backyard with your kids can also be a valuable skill plus a lot of fun! You will learn how to use rope lashing to build a simple pole structure and how to stay dry on your next camping trip with a tarp and guy lines. Plus, other fun camping/shelter hacks to get you ready for the summer camping season. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Join us in exploring the natural wonders inside Hunter’s Cave at Three Creeks Conservation Area (Boone County). Pack a water bottle and dress for the weather; an additional layer may be desired as cave temperatures are usually 55-57 degrees Fahrenheit. Participants will be walking in water so rubber boots or closed-toe shoes that can get wet are required. Hard hats and flashlights provided, but feel free to bring your own. Access to the cave requires a 15-minute hike in hilly, at times steep terrain and entering a small gate with an opening that is approximately three feet tall by two feet wide. Transportation from Runge will not be provided. Participants will meet at Three Creeks. Details, including directions on where to meet, will be emailed in advance. Registration required. Ages 18+

Attend in-person for the sixth annual Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network training for the Kansas City area! Enjoy a slide show about 25 beautiful, common species of butterflies, learn how surveys are conducted and play a fun, Wild About Pollinators Blooket trivia game. If you are interested in conducting and recording butterfly surveys, after the indoor program join in a mock butterfly survey using the gardens around the nature center and prairie by the parking lot (about ½ mile walk). We will also go over how to enter the data on the Pollard Base website and choose a route on a public natural area.