Events

Enrich your life by nature immersion to reduce stress, improve sleep and many more possible health benefits. Migrant nesting birds are here for the bugs! Learn to ID them by their beautiful songs, feathers and even baby birds as these species make Missouri their summer home. Then, practice hands-on basics of how to keep the food chain primed by removing garlic mustard from the landscape.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

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

Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures 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.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Learn the basics of fishing with MDC at Hazle Creek. Meet at the boat ramp. Participants must be 6 years of age or older. Participants 15 or older must have a valid fishing permit with them.

Come and learn about the poisonous and venomous plant and animals found in the State of Missouri. We will discuss snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms, and everybody’s favorite, poison ivy. No reservations are needed, so drop by the lobby of the Forest Park Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor Center & Educations Center any time between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

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.

Join MDC volunteer Pickett Lema for a hands-on lesson in watercolors. In this lesson Pickett will help you create hand painted cards. We encourage you to bring photos of your favorite flowers.

All supplies will be provided.

Have you ever wondered where our big bronze box turtle in front of Runge came from? It came from the creative brain and skilled hands of artist Tom Schulte of Jefferson City.

Tom will be at Runge to talk about his amazing artwork—not only our beautiful bronze turtle

but also his newest art project—using oil paint and aged copper to create intriguing and beautiful landscapes.

Come see a collection of Tom’s unique copper pieces inspired by nature. You may even recognize scenes at Runge in some of the art pieces.

Stop by the Runge lobby to meet Tom and see his amazing art! No registration required. All ages

Share the experience of spring bird migration with us! Kennedy Forest in Forest Park attracts a high concentration of beautiful birds, and it's a "collector" for these birds escaping the concrete of the city. They will be looking for food, hopping around in the trees, and singing their little hearts out. How do they have enough energy and spunk to be singing after flying hundreds, if not thousands of miles?

If migration allows, we will be in for a spectacular show of colors, patterns, energy, and endurance! We will be moving slowly through the forest and savannah along 1.5 miles on established trails and stairs, looking for and learning about warblers, buntings, orioles, grosbeaks, flycatchers, and more!

We encourage all to attend. No prior bird knowledge required. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, bird field guide, and binoculars if you have them. There will be a limited number of binoculars to borrow.

**We will meet at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest. We'll meet near the corner of Wells Drive and the road leading to the Forest Park Picnic Pavilion #11. Park on Wells Drive.**

Please register each participant individually.

This hike is a follow-up to Hike 101 but all are welcome. We will determine a starting point by looking at a topographic map of Rockwoods Reservation. Learn more about hiking basics as we hike the trail we have chosen.

Meet at the Pavilion. Dress for the weather, closed toe shoes are required for hiking.

From fluttering wings to tiny paws, we'll discover how pollinators help flowers bloom and fruit grow!