MDC and DU hold Wetlands for Kids Day on April 4

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
03/06/2015
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ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Special places that help clean water, reduce flooding, and provide homes to fascinating plants and animals are worth celebrating. They can be a lot of fun, too.

That's the idea behind the annual Wetlands for Kids Day event, which will be held on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles. Wetlands for Kids Day is hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ducks Unlimited (DU). The event, supported by grants from the Enterprise Foundation, US Bank and the Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association, is free for both kids and adults.

Wetlands for Kids Day is designed to help families have fun discovering nature while also learning about the importance of these vital habitats in Missouri.

The activities include more than 20 stations where visitors can learn about wetland creatures first hand. There will be a chance to see real birds of prey courtesy of the World Bird Sanctuary. A live reptile and amphibian station will provide a close-up look at these wetland inhabitants. Kids can explore the Duck Wing Maze while learning to identify ducks by wings and plumage along the way. They can also crawl through a simulated beaver den.

Retriever demonstrations are popular with visitors who enjoy watching the dogs perform on land and water. Other stations include fish tasting, air rifle shooting, archery, DU Laser Shot, and a rod and reel casting station.

Each child who attends gets a free subscription to the MDC Xplor: Adventures in Nature magazine for kids. They will also receive a DU Greenwing membership and a subscription to Puddler magazine. There will also be free tree seedling giveaways while supplies last.

In keeping with its watery theme, Wetlands for Kids Day will be held rain or shine. In the event of wet weather, the event will be moved indoors. Food will also be available for purchase during the event.

To learn more about Wetlands for Kids Day on April 4, call 636-441-4554.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is located in St. Charles on Route D, about two miles west of Highway 94.