Discover Nature Events

Dive into the colorful and curious world of fungi! Join us for an exciting adventure as we explore different types of fungi, learn where they grow, and discover their important role in nature. Get ready to spot some spectacular mushrooms and more! Ages 3-6. Registration required.

Dive into the colorful and curious world of fungi! Join us for an exciting adventure as we explore different types of fungi, learn where they grow, and discover their important role in nature. Get ready to spot some spectacular mushrooms and more! Ages 3-6. Registration required.

Meet some snakes, hold a bug, eat some (gummy) worms, and learn all about bats at Busch Conservation Area! Meet in the classroom and see for yourself how spectacular these spooky species are. Participants will have a bug encounter with staff from The Butterfly House, learn to be a bat biologist and explore an inflatable cave, see some live worms and make a yummy dirt ‘n worms snack, and even pet a snake! Program will be indoors in the classroom. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All ages are welcome, but activities will be aimed at children ages 5+. Adults accompanying children need not register.

Please register each person attending separately.

On this hike we will watch and listen for wildlife that prefer to come out after hours. Join a naturalist to experience the wonders of Powder Valley as the sun and moon trade places.

Join us at Emmenegger Nature Park for a program on Missouri's bats with bat biologist Shelly Colatskie. Shelly will set up mist nets, very thin nets designed to gently trap local bats as they fly overhead in search of insects.

Shelly will remove the bats from the net to check on their overall health and then weigh and sex them.

This is a great opportunity for you to see some of our flying mammals up close and ask questions of the professional.

Meet us at the far end of Emmenegger Nature Park, close to the trail head.

Bring your own camp chair or blanket and wear comfortable clothes for being outdoors. A headlamp or flashlight and insect repellent is highly recommended.

Address to Emmenegger Nature Park:

11991 Stoneywood Drive, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Directions: From eastbound I-44, take the Watson Road exit to Geyer Road and turn north. Go 200 yards to Cragwold Road and turn west. Go 1 mile to Stoneywood, then south to the area entrance.

http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Rm

We will be hiking the Wilson's Creek Battlefield Loop, about 5.5 miles and rated moderate in difficulty. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring trekking poles or a hiking stick if needed. Bring water and a sack lunch. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.

Walk-in (all ages) There's something spooky and mysterious about the discovery of an animal's bones. How did they get there? What happened? What kind of animal is it? Join us for this skeleton-centered program investigating what we can learn from an animals' bones. We'll focus on the characteristics of animal skulls and discover how variation in features - including the teeth - can reveal the identity of an animal. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Seeds are amazing! Some fly, some stick, while others roll; hopefully headed for a nice spot to grow. We’ll delve deep into the life cycle of a plant focusing on seedling structures, seed dispersal, and germination. We will conduct some seed experiments and go outside on a seed hunt.

Learn about some of Missouri's gorgeous wildflowers by learning to paint them in watercolor. We'll go over watercolor basics before we head into a study of a few wildflowers. All supplies provided. This is a basic class, but all levels of experience are welcome. Ages 8 to adult, children aged 8-17 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Meet up with MDC volunteers on the hilly but paved trails at Powder Valley. This class is for parents/guardians and their babies in strollers. We will get out to take relaxing walks to enjoy the changing of the seasons. There will be frequent stops to appreciate the calmness and beauty of nature, to hydrate, take in a snack or two, and breathe the fresh air. Remember to dress for the weather and bring plenty of water and snacks. We will greet you at the arbor outside the visitor center.