Discover Nature Events

Every third Thursday at 12pm, we’ll tour the native landscape at MDC’s Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by native landscape specialists Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, this monthly series features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year, This program is a partnership with Deep Roots.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED THROUGH THE DEEP ROOTS WEBSITE: https://deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon/

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

This event is oriented toward young hunters and anglers, and is open to the public. All participants will earn free membership to JAKES, in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, and area sponsors. Youth are welcome to bring their own shotgun, but firearms, ammunition, fishing equipment, and bait are all provided. Lunch will include hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks.

For questions or assistance with preregistration, please contact Conservation Agent Sean Ernst, at (573) 673-7588, or sean.ernst@mdc.mo.gov

Registration required (all ages) Different songbirds have different feeding habitats. Join us as we learn about the feeding habitats of songbirds in Missouri and how to plan a bird-feeding station. By choosing the right seed for your bird-feeding station and landscaping with plants that furnish cover and additional food, you can enjoy watching birds in your backyard all year long! Each participating family will be able to make one platform birdfeeder.

REGISTRATION NOTE: ONE ADULT SHOULD REGISTER TO REPRESENT THE FAMILY AND THEN E-MAIL SUSAN.HARRIS@MDC.MO.GOV TO COMMUNICATE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ATTENDING.

(Ages 3-6)

Explore animals that jump, run, and crawl through story time and songs. Investigate the animals we see, both from sunrise to sunset and from sunset to sunrise in Tower Grove Park! Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site.

MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate.

Come and meet the Missouri Department of Conservation's newest team member in the southeast region. This team member has highly specialized skills and abilities that no one else possesses. He also has four paws, fur, and a nose that is 40 times better than ours! You might say MDC has gone to the dogs. K9-Tex and his handler Corporal Alan Lamb will be at the nature center to explain and show what it is they do to help protect wildlife. Tex will also show off his amazing nose and ability to detect scent.

Registration required (all ages) Different songbirds have different feeding habitats. Join us as we learn about the feeding habitats of songbirds in Missouri and how to plan a bird-feeding station. By choosing the right seed for your bird-feeding station and landscaping with plants that furnish cover and additional food, you can enjoy watching birds in your backyard all year long! Each family participating will be able to make a platform birdfeeder. Each participating family will be able to make one platform birdfeeder.

REGISTRATION NOTE: ONE ADULT SHOULD REGISTER TO REPRESENT THE FAMILY AND THEN E-MAIL SUSAN.HARRIS@MDC.MO.GOV TO COMMUNICATE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ATTENDING.

Registration required (all ages) Different songbirds have different feeding habitats. Join us as we learn about the feeding habitats of songbirds in Missouri and how to plan a bird-feeding station. By choosing the right seed for your bird-feeding station and landscaping with plants that furnish cover and additional food, you can enjoy watching birds in your backyard all year long! Each family participating will be able to make a platform birdfeeder. Each participating family will be able to make one platform birdfeeder.

REGISTRATION NOTE: ONE ADULT SHOULD REGISTER TO REPRESENT THE FAMILY AND THEN E-MAIL SUSAN.HARRIS@MDC.MO.GOV TO COMMUNICATE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ATTENDING.

Leaves are everywhere this time of year! Find out what kinds of leaves are falling, create leaf prints, reveal the leaves’ true colors, and more. Registration required. Ages 7-12 years.

Watch the sun go down from the highest point at Columbia Bottom. Then walk by flashlight or lantern light to the confluence on a closed road and trails to watch the nearly full Hunters Moon cast a silvery glow across the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Listen for the calls of 3 species of owls as they prowl the night and watch creatures of the night as they scurry away from our dancing light beams. We will walk quietly, listening for the sounds of nature all around us. Who knows what we will find on the moonlit trail ahead?

Dress for the weather; wear boots or shoes that can get muddy. Bring a flashlight or lantern, walking stick, if you have one, insect repellant and a water bottle. Meet at lot “K”, about 4 ½ miles from the front entrance.

MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing of face coverings is encourage when appropriate.

Although they may seem spooky to some and are associated with death, the Turkey Vulture is an important part of nature. Find out more about this high-flying raptor as we investigate its life and unusual diet. This program is geared towards ages 8 and up but all ages are welcome to enroll.

Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address to receive a link to the virtual program.

Let your imagination run wild in the garden. We will collect our masterpiece materials from the garden (leaves, petals, etc.) before learning a bit about insect body structures before we delve in into creating our own. They can be as creative as we want. Dandelion petal legs? Sure. Seed pod for a thorax? Absolutely. Leaves for wings? You bet. This program is intended for adults but children over the age of 12 with an adult may enjoy it.