Events

Now that Spring fishing season is in full swing, and you have caught and cleaned a mess of fish, now is the time to learn how to cook them. In this Virtual Fish Cooking program, we will focus on the different methods, techniques, and ingredients to grill or bake fish.

Celebrate spring by discovering the colorful migratory birds that return to our neighborhoods each year. We'll highlight fan favorites such as orioles, grosbeaks, and hummingbirds. Learn when they arrive, how to identify them, and why they stop in our backyards. We’ll also share simple, bird-friendly feeding and habitat tips to attract these beautiful visitors. All ages. Registration required. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.

Celebrate Spring with a fun, family-friendly virtual painting class! Volunteer Gala Keller will guide you step-by-step on how to paint a portrait of a Box Turtle! Using a small canvas and simple techniques, with no painting experience necessary, this virtual program is great for Ages 6 & up!

Participants will need to provide their own painting supplies. For those that have registered, a supply list will be sent out the week before the program and once again after registration closes.

Registration is required. Please include a valid email address when you register, so we can send you a virtual program link the day before the program. (If you do not receive a link, please check your junk/spam email.) This virtual program will use the Webex platform and will not be recorded. Registration required by April 14th.

For more information, email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov or call (417) 334-4865 ext 0.

Have you been yearning to enjoy one of the Ozarks favorite outdoor activities and don’t know where to start? Come join us for an evening of fishing and family memories. We will start with the basics of fishing to get any beginner angler catching fish. You will learn about the basic gear and how to use it as well as fish identification, strategies, rules, and regulations. Then head to the ol’ fishing hole and catch and release a few. Bring your own poles or borrow ours. Bait will be provided. A valid fishing permit is required for Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents ages 16 and up.

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 18) at Bennett Springs State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran or active duty serviceperson to get out and fish! Missouri offers tremendous trout park fishing opportunities and Bennett Spring proudly sponsors this event and an opportunity to fish for FREE.

At Veterans’ Fishing Day, fishing is free and there is no license or daily tag fee. All veterans can pick up free trout tags at the park store on the Friday evening before or anytime on Saturday during the event. Fishing hours for the event will be 7 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.

During the event a part of the park’s Zone 2 fishing area will be specially stocked and reserved for anglers who are veterans. Adjacent to the fishing area, volunteers will be hosting a hospitality tent featuring fly tying demos, lessons, casting instruction, and the latest adaptive fishing equipment.

If you are interested in trout fishing, come out and fish with one of our heroes on the water – many volunteers will be on hand to show you the ropes! Not quite sure, practice with some of the casting games on the lawn or tie up a fly.

For more information, please contact Ben Havens at Ben.Havens@mdc.mo.gov or call the hatchery at 417-532-4418.

Trek the trails of Little Sac Woods Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring a sack lunch and water, and wear comfortable hiking shoes. This hike is 4 miles and rated moderate in difficulty. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.

Join us to discover the basics of responsible handgun ownership and the joys of shooting. We will cover safety, handgun nomenclature, sight picture, sight alignment, breath control, trigger squeeze, and much more. During the live fire portion, .22 handguns and ammunition will be provided. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom. Please leave all firearms in the vehicle until the class is dismissed including all concealed carry handguns and magazines.

Join the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center as we celebrate Earth Day! We'll have a variety of fun hands-on activities and crafts. We will also be giving away FREE native Missouri trees, while supplies last. Come-and-go event; no registration required. All ages invited!

For more information, email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov or call (417) 334-4865 ext 0.

Members of the Missouri Trout Fisherman's Association will teach you about fly-fishing. This is part one of a two-class series. Learn what fly-fishing is, what fish eat, basic fly-fishing concepts, casting basics, and a few knots to get you going. After the indoor portion, participants will drive to Living Memorial Park to practice casting. This is a two-part series, and you must register for both. The second part of this series will be held on Saturday, April 25. Ages 16 and up. Registration required.

Signs of spring can be seen everywhere from birds migrating back to Missouri to blooms on the forest floor. Let’s explore the beauty and uniqueness of ephemeral wildflowers. Join Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center staff to learn how to identify spring wildflowers and which ones you may see in your own backyard during Wildflower ID Webinar. This is a live event only. Please register with a valid email address to receive the program link.