Discover Nature Events

Walk-in (all ages) Join Deep Roots KC for our very first three-day plant sale, a special expansion of our regular event to give you even more time to shop and explore. This extended sale features a curated selection of native favorites, including purple poppy mallow, cardinal flower, Pennsylvania sedge and more. Whether you're a seasoned native gardener or just getting started, you'll find plants that support pollinators and thrive in our region. Don't miss this exciting new opportunity to grow your garden and boost you impact over three full days! Visit https://deeproots.org/native-plant-sales-missouri-and-Kansas for more information. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Join us at the Springfield Nature Center as we celebrate National Trails Day! During this self-guided hike enjoy nature while answering trivia questions along the way! Stop by the table before your adventure to pick up a question sheet. All ages. Registration required.

Join us at Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors, while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region! At August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, we will be channeling that classic summer camp experience with:

Fishing – Cast a line to hook into the catch of the day. Nothing says summer camp like watching a bobber zipper under water… fish on!

Fishing Lure Painting – After you master bobber fishing it’s time to paint your very own fishing lure! After you create your masterpiece, you can add it to your tackle box for your next trip.

Please bring your own refillable water bottle and lunch. Make sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray. Closed toe shoes are required. We encourage participants to bring a hat and any other cooling devices (personal fan, cooling towel, etc.) as we will be outside for the majority of this camp.

Please register each participant individually. Meet our naturalists at the educational fishing lake number two to begin your camp experience.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series. We encourage you to participate in as many camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special sticker to commemorate each day they participate in throughout the summer, and all campers will be invited back for our Stargazing Sendoff at the end of the summer!

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Saturday, June 6th - August A. Busch Memorial CA

Saturday, June 13th - Rockwoods Reservation

Saturday, June 20th - August A. Busch Memorial CA

Saturday, June 27th – Columbia Bottom CA

Saturday, July 18th - Powder Valley Conservation NC

Saturday, August 1st -Tower Grove Park

Friday, August 7th- Stargazing Sendoff at Emmenegger Nature Park

Registration for all camp sessions begins May 1st at 7pm.

Walk-in; registration will be collected at the event (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.

Ancestral Skills Specialist Don Brink will demonstrate how to start a fire without matches or butane. Learn multiple fire-starting methods and try your hand at this age-old skill. Ages 8 and up. Registration required.

Walk-in; registration will be collected at the event (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.

Learn about the history behind leather and the different techniques native american and europeans utilized to make leather for different products. We will be creating your own leather Knife sheath you will design it start to finish and learn valuable skills along the way. You will need to bring your own knife it can be a straight blade or a pocket knife whatever you prefer. If you need help registering please call the Twin Pines Conservation Center at 573-325-1381

If you have questions please contact me at Sarah.elrod@mdc.mo.gov

Explore the trails of Compton Hollow with us. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring water, a snack, and wear comfortable hiking shoes. This 3.75-mile hike is rated moderate in difficulty. Return time may vary, with an expected return as early as 12:30 pm. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.

Join us this month for Babes in the Woods: Soar like a Butterfly! In this action-packed hour of fun, we will make a butterfly to take outside on our search for butterflies in our gardens and prairie areas. Meet in the classroom but dress for the weather. This class is designed to get young children more connected with the natural world. After the program, expect to leave with a little dirt and a big smile. Remember to dress for the weather.

This program is hosted by the Powder Valley Nature Center on the second Tuesday of every month. Please feel free to join the librarian for story time inside afterwards.

Join us this month for Conservation Kids: Soar like a Butterfly! In this action-packed hour of fun, we will make a butterfly to take outside on our search for butterflies in our gardens and prairie areas. Meet in the classroom but dress for the weather. This class is designed to get young children more connected with the natural world. After the program, expect to leave with a little dirt and a big smile. Remember to dress for the weather.

This program is hosted by the Powder Valley Nature Center on the second Tuesday of every month.