Events

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center turns 35 years old this year and to celebrate, the nature center is inviting the public to join the Passport to Powder Valley program. The program will encourage visitors to explore multiple aspects of the nature center and offer the opportunity to win a raffle basket of prizes.

The Passport to Powder Valley program launched Tuesday, July 14 and runs through Oct. 31. To participate, visitors can pick up a copy of the Passport to Powder Valley booklet at the nature center’s front desk. The booklet is designed to engage visitors with five fun activities that celebrate what makes Powder Valley Nature Center unique.

The five activities in the Passport to Powder Valley challenge include:

1. Birdwatching

2. Checking out one of the nature center’s nature-themed discovery backpacks

3. Meeting Powder Valley’s live “ambassador animals”

4. Attending a naturalist-led educational program

5. Exploring one of Powder Valley’s hiking trails

The passport booklet even includes a bonus coloring page. Full details on completing each activity are included in the booklet.

Every person who finishes each of the passport booklet’s activities will receive a special limited Powder Valley 35th anniversary sticker. They’ll also be entered in a raffle to win a grand prize basket, including:

- Tour tickets to the Endangered Wolf Sanctuary

- Membership and swag pack from Laumeier Sculpture Park

- Free admission tickets to either the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Butterfly House, or Shaw Nature Reserve

- The book A History of Kirkwood, Missouri, 1851-1965 by June Wilkinson Dahl, donated by the Kirkwood Historical Society

Look for book pages posted along Runge’s Naturescape trail and enjoy a seasonal children’s book as you walk and explore. Book begins at the trailhead across from the parking lot. No registration required. All ages.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is proud to present Trail Tales, an interactive hiking experience! Explore our Tanglevine Trail, a 1/3 mile paved loop perfect for strollers and families. As you walk, look for interactive storybook pages along the trail. October will feature "In A Nutshell" by Joseph Anthony.

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 (October 14 & 28).

Visit Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center's Art Gallery this month to view the work of Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers. (MONEP)

The MONEP mission is, to provide a forum for individuals interested in the field of nature photography and the environment, provide education, gather and disseminate information to promote nature photography as an art form and medium of communication.

This year they celebrate their 30th anniversary. They invite everyone to view their work in the hallway of the nature center.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4

*You must attend Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 (Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling) before attending this class.*

*A current, valid fishing permit is encouraged for all participants ages 16–64.*

In the Lesson 3 portion, participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.

In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and techniques, as well as identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

All participants who complete all four Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

This class is for everyone 7 years old and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Every person planning to attend must be registered separately.

To register additional family members, you may need to make a group account or add them to an existing group account. You can also create an additional account for them sharing your same email and phone # but using individual usernames and passwords. Please contact the instructor with any issues related to registration. Non-registered participants may not be able to participate in the program.

Please meet at the Suson Park “Rearing Pond” at the north end of the park.

If the class must be canceled for any reason, including weather, registrants will receive an email notification 24 hours in advance.

The leaves are changing and cool breezes carry the smells of autumn. Critters that would stick out among the green leaves of summer like our red fox and white-tailed deer now blend in perfectly with autumn colors and fallen leaves. Join us and learn about animals that are better camouflaged in fall and take a short hike where we will try to find hidden foxes and deer on our Ridgetop Trail.

Little Acorns programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and young children to the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities. Ridgetop trail is paved, accessible, and perfect for strollers and some wheelchairs.

Are you thinking about planting more native plants, but you're not sure where to get started? Do you just have some questions about the flowers you see on our grounds? Spend time touring our gardens with the Native Landscape Specialist. He'll talk about what's currently blooming and what's getting ready to bloom, how to identify plant families, and understanding how to get started with planting more native plants in your space.

The leaves are changing and cool breezes carry the smells of autumn. Critters that would stick out among the green leaves of summer like our red fox and white-tailed deer now blend in perfectly with autumn colors and fallen leaves. Join us and learn about animals that are better camouflaged in fall and take a short hike where we will try to find hidden foxes and deer on our Ridgetop Trail.

Little Acorns programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and young children to the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities. Ridgetop Trail is paved, accessible, and perfect for strollers and some wheelchairs.

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.