Discover Nature Notes

More hairy than scary, tarantulas live a hidden life in Missouri. Here in the northern part of their range, the Texas Brown Tarantula is an uncommon sight living in desert type environments. Discover what MDC and UMSL Scientists are finding out about this reclusive creature of Halloween lore in their Tarantula Study.

Discover how a massive ancient fish is making a comeback in our big rivers. With a sharklike body, a long snout, and no teeth, Lake Sturgeon live long and travel far and wide. Reports of them spawning in the wild have led to an historic event for MDC Fisheries staff at our Blind Pony Hatchery. Journey underwater in the Osage River, to a spawning site on the Mississippi River and inside the hatchery to see the restoration of a species with a long circle of life in Missouri waters.

Shirley Carpenter has gone where very few have travelled. Up a hacking tower to help feed young bald eaglets. Jeff Cantrell was there during the incubation process and research as a college student. Both helped out during a 10-year program to restore America's iconic bald eagle to nesting and winter population success in Missouri. Watch their story that Shirley describes as the adventure of her lifetime.

Discover 2025 full moons and how nature cycles inspired familiar names from Native American and early European settlers. Along with super moons and total lunar eclipses, find out what you may see and hear each month this year while outdoors. The Sturgeon, Buck, and Beaver moons are wild.

Looking to escape the big city for some big nature. Enjoy an immersive experience at Amidon Conservation area along granite shut-ins underneath shortleaf pines. This landscape inspires in every season and is an easy day trip from St. Louis.

What does James Earl Jones have to do with the tallgrass prairie, America's OG landscape? It's a great story. Discover more as well as where you can view and what you can do to help Missouri's prairie species in this Discover Nature Note.

Cruise the Meramec River and discover nature and incredible scenery along the way.

Discover elevated nature at Rockwoods Reservation. Through a unique conservation partnership with BETA FUND, sport climbing routes were created at on old limestone quarry. Experienced climbers can discover elevated nature views, essential safety and responsible climbing tips in this Discover Nature Note.

Buffleheads are must-see nature! These small beauties are speedy divers and fliers. See Buffleheads in action and discover more about where to see and how to photograph them in this Discover Nature Note.

If wildlife put on a Fashion Week, they might show off a versatile winter collection of fur and feathers, displaying their form and function on the runways they use to survive the great outdoors. Discover how they "work it" in this Discover Nature Note.