Date:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:00 am - Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:45 am
Location:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Cardinals, hummingbirds, turkeys, and eagles are always busy. What makes birds so special and different from other animals? Fly in to find out! Ages 3-6.
Date:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:15 am - Wednesday, March 22, 2023 12:00 pm
Location:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Cardinals, hummingbirds, turkeys, and eagles are always busy. What makes birds so special and different from other animals? Fly in to find out! Ages 3-6.
Date:
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 6:30 pm - Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8:00 pm
Location:
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish. After a successful day afield, when it is time to clean fresh fish or game, a sharp knife is a vital tool. While it is not rocket science, there are a few tricks to putting a good edge on your favorite knife using a basic sharpening stone. We will provide the stones and you can bring along your favorite hunting or filleting knife (straight blade, non-serrated). Participants under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Date:
Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:00 am - Thursday, March 23, 2023 12:00 pm
Location:
Wallace State Park
Winter is hanging on, and birds are still out and about in their particular habitats, finding food. Join us on a hike to see the birds in action. We will meet at the shelter house directly into the park, then proceed to the trail to start birding. Dress for the weather & bring your own binoculars, snacks, and drinks. Folks can leave anytime, if they have had enough.
Date:
Thursday, March 23, 2023 6:30 pm - Thursday, March 23, 2023 7:45 pm
Location:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Buzz Buzz Buzz! Fly on in to learn about the amazing pollinators that surround us here in Missouri! We’ll play games as we learn more about these cool creatures. This program is designed for children ages 7-12 and their adults/caregivers.
Date:
Friday, March 24, 2023 3:30 pm - Friday, March 24, 2023 4:30 pm
Location:
Online only
Naturalist Jordi Raos will share some of her favorite native plants and talk about how to pick the right plant for the right spot. All ages. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.
Date:
Friday, March 24, 2023 7:00 pm - Friday, March 24, 2023 9:00 pm
Location:
St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA
Let’s go for a night hike to look at the amphibious first signs of spring throughout August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area’s aquatic habitats. We’ll meet at the Classroom for a short amphibian ID presentation, then caravan to the Lake 33 wetlands as the sun goes down in search of reptiles and amphibians emerging from winter hibernation. Be prepared to get dirty as we explore the site’s pond and surrounding areas. Please dress for the outdoors and bring a flashlight/headlamp.
Difficulty = Moderate: natural, gravel, and paved surface hiking at night. The number of amphibians expected to be seen will depend on the weather. Best results will be when temperatures stay above 50 degrees F at night. Because of this, there is a small possibility this program will be rescheduled to March 31st (same time) to take advantage of optimal temperatures.
Date:
Saturday, March 25, 2023 9:30 am - Saturday, March 25, 2023 10:00 am
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Cubs, kittens, and ducklings, too. Spring is the season to discover who’s new! There are many wild animal babies born in the spring. Learn about these young, their parents, and why it’s important to let them stay wild. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0-2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.
Date:
Saturday, March 25, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, March 25, 2023 2:00 pm
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Walk-in (all ages) What's more relaxing than sipping on a nice hot cup of tea on a chilly spring day? Many people wouldn't relate tea to nature, but it has a lot to do with it. Come and learn about different natural teas you can make from native plants while sipping on some Discovery Center made tea! While supplies last. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Date:
Saturday, March 25, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, March 25, 2023 1:00 pm
Location:
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join naturalists at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center as we explore winter wild edibles! This program will discuss the importance of the shagbark hickory in Missouri as well as how to make shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) bark syrup. In addition to shagbark hickory, we will also discuss various pine (or other evergreen) trees, including Missouri's only native pine tree species, and recipes using pine needles. The recipes we will be covering will be pine needle tea and pine needle shortbread cookies, using needles from non-native eastern white pine trees.
***Register each person individually. If you have difficulties with registration, please call 314-301-1500.
Date:
Sunday, March 26, 2023 1:00 pm - Sunday, March 26, 2023 2:30 pm
Location:
Fort Belle Fontaine County Park
Experience the natural wonders of Fort Belle Fontaine County Park while hiking through a variety of habitats while searching for early sights and sounds of spring. Walk the trail past the upland prairie leading down to views of the Missouri River and the historic Grand Staircase. Along the way we will look for ephemerals such as Dutchman’s breeches and Spring beauty as well as new growth and buds on native trees and bushes. Parts of the trail are steep and can be muddy.
Dress for the weather and wear shoes or boots that can get muddy. Bring a water bottle and bring a walking stick if you have one. Meet at the parking lot just past the entrance to Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.
Date:
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 2:00 pm - Tuesday, March 28, 2023 2:30 pm
Location:
Online only
This month we will highlight a jewel of Missouri’s swamps, the wood duck. The males of this species don stunning feathers all in the hopes of attracting a mate. We will dabble into the lives of these beautiful ducks as we learn where they live and how they grow up.
Date:
Saturday, April 1, 2023 9:00 am - Saturday, April 1, 2023 11:30 am
Location:
Fort Belle Fontaine County Park
Warm Spring days bring rapid changes to the landscape. Walk the trail past the upland prairie and head down to the Missouri River. Along the trail through the woods look for more ephemerals that have made their appearance since last week. We are not allowed to pick them, so bring your camera to get pictures to keep long after these beauties have bloomed. You may finish the hike by climbing up the historic grand staircase or continue the trail to the top. Parts of the trail are steep and can be muddy. Dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes that can get muddy. Bring a water bottle and walking stick if you have one. Meet at the parking lot just past the entrance to Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.
Date:
Saturday, April 1, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 1, 2023 2:00 pm
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Walk-in (all ages) It's finally spring and everything is starting to recover from the cold winter days...The plants are starting to bloom and the animals are coming out of hiding. Come and challenge yourself to take some beautiful pictures of our awesome native backyard nature. Your favorite picture will be specially printed and you will be able to take it home. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Date:
Saturday, April 1, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 1, 2023 2:00 pm
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Walk-in (all ages) Please join the Interpretive Site Coalition (ISC) for the Passport to Adventure kick-off. Pick up your 2023 Passport to Adventure booklet to join the fun! Visit participating sites, get your passport stamped and get entered to win prizes. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.
Date:
Saturday, April 1, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 1, 2023 11:00 am
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
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.
Date:
Saturday, April 1, 2023 11:30 am - Saturday, April 1, 2023 12:30 pm
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
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.
Date:
Friday, April 7, 2023 1:00 pm - Friday, April 7, 2023 2:00 pm
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Registration required (ages 14+) The beginning of spring is a magical time in the native plant garden. Spring ephemeral flowers are in bloom and more plants are waking up every day. Join our native landscape specialists for a tour of the gardens and get up close to the fresh beauty of spring. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.
Date:
Saturday, April 8, 2023 9:00 am - Saturday, April 8, 2023 10:00 am
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Have you seen a masked critter rummaging through your trash lately? It could be a trash panda! (aka Raccoons!) These critters are very resourceful and great at finding food in almost any environment. Come learn more about these rascally raccoons and what makes them special.
Little Acorns programs are designed to help children ages 3-6 learn about the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.
Date:
Saturday, April 8, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 8, 2023 11:30 am
Location:
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Registration required (ages 6+) See the spectacular sights of spring at the Discovery Center. Welcome back the first wave of migratory birds returning from their wintering grounds. Greet the spring ephemerals emerging from the earth and flowers bursting from buds. Participants will join a naturalist on a hike to learn about what birds and blooms to watch for as spring gets into full swing. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.
Date:
Saturday, April 8, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 8, 2023 11:00 am
Location:
Cape Girardeau Nature Center
Have you seen a masked critter rummaging through your trash lately? It could be a trash panda! (aka Raccoons!) These critters are very resourceful and great at finding food in almost any environment. Come learn more about these rascally raccoons and what makes them special.
Little Acorns programs are designed to help children ages 3-6 learn about the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.
Date:
Saturday, April 8, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, April 8, 2023 12:00 pm
Location:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Plants have always been important to humans for food, medicine, and other purposes. Ancestral Skills Specialist Don Brink will explore the folklore and modern uses of several Missouri plants during a trail hike. Ages 15-adult.
Date:
Saturday, April 8, 2023 12:00 pm - Saturday, April 8, 2023 4:00 pm
Location:
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Want to learn how to identify common Missouri tree species? This workshop is for you! Join MDC education staff in this workshop to learn identifying characteristics and using a dichotomous key to properly identify Missouri tree species. Topics included in the workshop:
• Leaf or bud arrangement
• Bark types
• Dendrology
• Using a dichotomous key to identify trees
• Growth habits and preferred growing sites of common trees
• Using a Biltmore stick to estimate board foot volume
Come have fun experiencing the beautiful trails at the Springfield Nature center has you learn more about Missouri’s wonderful tree species! Each participant will receive resources to help them identify and enjoy our Missouri trees! For more information contact Lyle Whittaker at (417)895-6880 Ext. 1644 or email Lyle.whittaker@mdc.mo.gov