Events

Brown-headed nuthatches require a healthy, stable pine-woodland habitat — something Missouri had mostly lost but has been gradually regaining. Now that our state has restored some of its pine woodlands, approximately 100 birds were reintroduced in the Mark Twain National Forest between 2020 and 2021, and survival monitoring of the brown-headed nuthatches continues to present day. If this species is deemed a successful reintroduction, it will be considered a permanent resident of Missouri as it is nonmigratory. Join us as we discuss these intriguing birds while you paint your own water-color picture of the brown-headed nuthatch.

Join Ms. Ladybug as she reads a nature story and shares activities with your child. Ages 2 to 6.

With spring starting around the show-me state local swamps, glades, and forest floors will start to come alive with the colors of wildflowers. During this program learn about some of the wildflowers you may see when viewing these ecosystems and where you might find them in your area. Please ensure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

Spring is here and we have been busy working in our flower gardens. Did you know that native plants are more beneficial than plant species that you can buy at most box stores? In this program we will look at the benefits of native plants and where to purchase them.

*Lessons 1 and 2 are required*

Lesson 3: “Five Common Missouri Fish” combines instruction with hands-on fishing in order to teach young anglers and families the anatomy, habitat, diet, and life cycle of five common Missouri fish.

Lesson 4: “Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations” combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families to identify different kinds of lures and to grasp an understanding of applicable fishing regulations and why we have them.

Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Ages 7 and above. All children ages 7-15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

Participants who complete all DNF Lessons (1-4) will be rewarded the choice between a FREE Zebco 202 fishing rod, stocked tackle box, or fishing net.

Each participant will need to register for this program individually on the Missouri Department of Conservation Discover Fishing website.

Please email Huston Spellman, Community Education Assistant with questions.

Huston.Spellman@mdc.mo.gov

573-815-7900 ext. 2926

This virtual program is part one of a multi part series on primitive skills and bushcraft. In part one, "Knife, Axe, and Saw Skills and Safety” we will discuss safety and the skills needed to be safe while performing various Bushcraft skills and tasks. Start time will be 6:05 PM using the Webex platform and all registered participants will receive a link with the log in information 24 hours prior to the event.

Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those that need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+

Come on over to Rockwoods Reservation for afternoon of Spelunking! We will begin this program in the classroom at the Rockwoods Education Center, where we will learn more about caves in Missouri, what kind of critters we might find in them, and why our cave ecosystems are so special! After about 45 minutes in the classroom, we will gear up in our helmets and knee pads and head to Bathtub Cave to do some exploring.

**Note: You will have to crawl into the entrance and crawl in the cave. The very beginning of this cave is roughly 1 foot tall.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and for 55-degree temperatures. Please wear pants and a long sleeve shirt that you do not mind getting dirty. An extra change of clothes, water, and a snack is recommended.

Helmets and one flashlight will be provided. Please wear rubber boots as well and bring 2 additional sources of light (such as headlamps or flashlights).

If large clusters of bats are encountered, the field trip portion will be cut short. Program will be canceled in inclement weather and rescheduled at a different date.

Please register each person who attends to go into the cave individually.

***Only the age range (7 and up) will be allowed in the cave.

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon (adults) Spring is stirring in the Midwest. Take a virtual tour of the native gardens at MDC's Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by Cydney Ross, Outdoor Program Manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a live look at native plants of interest plus landscaping tips and tricks. This program is in partnership with Deep Roots KC.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians. Youth and adult organizations welcome.