Discover Nature Events

How well do you know Missouri wildlife? Assemble your team and test your knowledge with questions hand-picked by an array of conservation professionals. Grab your favorite snacks and non-alcoholic beverages and join us for a night of fun.

Teams are made up of 6 individuals. Every team member must register for the event.

Don’t have a full team? No worries, we will help you find a friendly group.

The online "Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course" must be completed before attending this event. You can register for the online portion here: https://www.hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn

The online course has a $25 charge to a third-party host (not MDC) and can be completed in approximately 2 – 4 hours. Please bring your certificate of completion and mileage sheet to the Demonstration Field Day.

We will be conducting a prescribed burn so please dress accordingly with leather boots, leather gloves, cotton pants, cotton long sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. Participants will learn about burn equipment, burn line installation, safe weather parameters, ignition operations, and other techniques to safely conduct a prescribed burn.

If inclement weather, you will be notified by the instructor by email of any changes.

Join a naturalist on a guided 2.6-mile hike through Valley View Glades Natural Area in Hillsboro, Missouri. Hikes will be held during all four seasons in 2025, and we will discuss the changes happening on this beautiful and diverse trail throughout the year! Keep an eye out for more dates to come! Please note: this is a rugged, natural-surface trail that may not be suitable for beginner hikers. For this reason, all participants should be 16 years old or older. Make sure to bring water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes!

Please make sure to register all participants ahead of time.

We're celebrating the annual return of bald eagles to Lake Springfield. This special event includes the indoor presence of a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held at the Nature Center every hour on the hour from 10 am to 3 pm. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina during event hours. All ages. No registration required.

Walk-in (all ages) Winter is a great time to spot our flying neighbors, but who is that enjoying your backyard bird feeder? Come and learn the common winter birds of Kansas City, help with Project FeederWatch and even make a pinecone bird feeder! All materials are provided. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

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.

Bring all your wildlife and conservation related questions to Powder Valley. A knowledgeable naturalist will be ready to answer any questions you may have.

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.

Come meet one of the ambassador animals that call Powder Valley home. We will discuss what roles these animals play in their ecosystems as well as some fun facts. See you there!

Not knowing which knots are necessary for needed tasks can be nauseating. Join us for a beginner’s guide to knots and learn how to pick the right knot for the job. This program will cover knots for hanging tarps, fishing, securing loads and other outdoor needs.