Events

Welcome Summertime with a guided public tour of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery! Join a Naturalist to learn the difference between the Rainbow and Brown Trout raised at the hatchery, then visit the raceways and discover the amazing trout-raising process! And for just a quarter, you can feed the fish, too! Tours will meet at the large trout aquarium inside the Conservation Education Center.

Tours will be held four times daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning May 26th and continuing through Friday, September 4th. (The Hatchery will be closed for state holidays on June 19th and July 4th.)

All ages are invited, and no registration is required. For questions, call us at 417-334-4865 ext. 0, or email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov.

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the nature center’s amphibians, fish, and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (June 10 & 24).

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.

Join us for a quick story time reading and lesson about our aquatic friends before we go out to the creek to meet them face to face!

We will be going outside and playing in the creek, so please wear water shoes, clothes that can get wet, bug spray, sunscreen, etc.

This program is designed for children ages 2-5, but siblings and family members of all ages are welcome. Please register EACH person who will be present.

Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who call Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the nature center. After the snake encounter, spend time enjoying the rest of the exhibits! An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the nature center lobby.

This program is hosted by the Webster Groves Nature Study Society Nature Book Group but being a member is not required to participate.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles, by Amy Tan. This is the nature journal we all need to strive to write. The author of many best-selling novels lets us know what is happening in her backyard during the 6 years that she went from being able to identify 3 birds, to seeing 63 species. Great illustrations also. Come and describe some of the interactions you have had with your backyard birds, such as when I watered a hanging flower basket and a house wren flew away.

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey in this engaging and educational library program at the Joplin Public Library! Perfect for nature lovers of all ages, this interactive program explores the lives, adaptations, and importance of raptors such as hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles. Participants will get an up-close look at taxidermy specimens, and a hands-on feather display will showcase the incredible variety of feather types. No registration is required.

Squirrel hunting is a rewarding and accessible hunting activity with deep roots in Missouri. This abundant game animal was an important resource for many throughout Missouri’s history. While hunting squirrels may not be as popular as deer or turkey today, squirrels still provide enjoyable hunting and excellent table fare for those who pursue them. Squirrel hunters enjoy long hunting seasons, generous bag limits, inexpensive hunting gear, and plenty of places to hunt. It is an excellent activity for new hunters developing their skills or seasoned hunters who just need an excuse to spend more time in the woods.

This virtual program will provide participants with a basic understanding of squirrel biology and behavior; an overview of squirrel hunting regulations and seasons; information on how to locate places to squirrel hunt; a breakdown of required equipment and hunting strategies; instruction on how to clean and prepare harvested squirrels; and next steps for new hunters who want to further their knowledge or explore hunting opportunities.

Participants will be emailed a link to attend the virtual program the day of the event. Please check your spam folder. This program will be broadcast live, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/discover-native-gardening (adults) It's one thing to read about native plants and another to get your hands dirty! Learn seasonal gardening skills, be empowered and grow community alongside native plant experts and enthusiasts. This month we'll identify and manage summer native plants and warm season annuals. Visit the Deep Roots KC website to learn more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.