Events

An early stage social engagement session for persons with early stage dementia and their care partner. Did you know that getting outdoors, interacting with nature, and learning new skills have shown to have positive benefits for individuals living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia? Join us at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024 to learn the basics of birding. This session will include tips for using binoculars, ways to identify bird songs and how to use a field guide. This slow-paced, gentle walk will be held on the Farkleberry Knob Trail, a quarter-mile paved trail at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in North County Park. We will also discuss how being outdoors can benefit those living with dementia and their caregivers. You may bring your own binoculars, or a pair will be provided for you.

This is a cooperative program with the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

MDC and partners hold clean up and Nature in Your Neighborhood Family Fun Day May 11 in O’Fallon Park

The whole family is invited to celebrate nature and help with environmental justice action to beautify the park.

Nature is part of everyone’s neighborhood. Whether it’s the calming shade of a tree, the beauty of potted wildflowers, or pollinating bees that help a vegetable garden grow, nature makes life better even in the city.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), North Newstead Association, and earthday365, the City of St. Louis and 11th Ward Alderwoman Laura Keys are hosting the Nature in Your Neighborhood Family Fun Day Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in St. Louis’ O’Fallon Park, 4343 West Florissant Avenue. Nature in Your Neighborhood Family Fun Day is free, and open to all ages. This year's event will feature a range of fun activities and educational opportunities designed to connect families with nature, as well as a cleanup effort to help keep the park clean and beautiful.

The event begins with the cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon to pick up litter in the park. Families are encouraged to participate in the cleanup, which will provide a great opportunity for parents and children to work together and learn about the importance of taking care of our environment.

Participants will be supplied with trash bags and gloves to help clean up litter in O’Fallon Park and make it a better place for people and wildlife. Volunteers will be treated to two scoops from Scoops Italian Ice Truck, as well as hot dogs and chips! Participants can even enter a raffle at the event for a chance to win free prizes Trash bashers can pre-register for the cleanup at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Qh.

From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the event will feature a nature-based Family Fun Day with a host of interactive educational displays to help participants learn about nature, the environment, and wildlife. Visitors can explore tables from community and environmental organizations. Nature programs and activities for families will include learning to fish and discovering birds that live in the park. There will also be chances to see the O’Fallon Park’s amazing heron and egret rookery.

MDC is leading a partnership to restore natural habitat to O’Fallon Park through its Back to Nature St. Louis Grant.

The mission of earthday365 is to inspire and mobilize a collaborative movement towards an equitable and environmentally sustainable St. Louis region – every day.

This event is made possible by Community Development Block Grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration in partnership with MDC and earthday365.

Join us for the gift of wildflowers courtesy of Mother Nature. Hike a 3 ½ mile natural trail that loops through meadows, woods and along streams; or turn back after the first mile. A short stop will be made at the platform overlooking the Meramec River Valley where participants can turn back. We will stop, admire, and discuss the different flowers in bloom along the trail. Dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring water and snacks if desired. Meet in the parking lot at Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area.

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

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.

With the icy winds of winter giving way spring wildflowers start to bloom. Join us at Saint Francois State Park for a hike along a 3.4 mile trail. This trail follows the Current River before climbing 300ft in elevation and looping back. Pack your lunch and enjoy the beautiful scenery when we stop to eat. The difficulty of Swimming Deer Trail is moderately-difficult due to the 300ft elevation gain along the middle of the trail. Participants will meet at the nature center and carpool to the state park.

Snakes are amazing animals and not really scary at all. Come and join us to learn lots of neat things about snakes like how they move, smell, hear and eat. There will be live snakes that are found in Missouri to looks at and even touch. We will also go outside and try to find some snakes in their natural habitat. Participants should be prepared for a short walk on a crushed stone trail. Meet at the Rockwoods Visitor Center. Register each child attending.

Aww! Babies are cute, and May welcomes many new animal babies to the world. Join this month’s program and learn about the babies born in May. Afterwards, participate in fun sensory activities in crafts. 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.

Walk-in (all ages) Did you know that native plants beautify landscapes and help support songbirds and other cherished wildlife? Join the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) at the Discovery Center for a spring native plant sale. Grow Native! vendors will be on hand with a wide selection of native flowers, grasses, sedges, shrubs, vines and trees for a variety of growing conditions. Vendors will contribute a percentage of plant sale proceeds to benefit MPF's prairie conservation in Missouri. Visit www.moprairie.org for participating vendors and information about pre-ordering or you can shop in person the day of the sale. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Join volunteer Pickett Lema for a hands-on lesson in watercolors. In this lesson Pickett will help you make a wonderful Mother's Day gift. We encourage you to bring photos of your favorite native flower arrangements.

All supplies will be provided.

Watch Ancestral Skills Specialist Don Brink transform simple rocks into artistic and functional points similar to the ones used by early humans. Learn the basics and try your hand at this age-old skill.