Events

Walk-in (all ages) April showers bring May flowers, and lots of them! Native plants are blooming left and right this time of year. Join our native landscape specialists for a springtime walk around the grounds. This program is in partnership with Deep Roots KC. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Explore the different species of cicadas found in Missouri and learn about the emergence of the periodical cicadas this summer. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.

Please note, this virtual program WILL NOT BE RECORDED and will use the WebEx platform*

Register for a VIRTUAL art class as we create a series of three paintings showcasing Missouri’s state symbols! For our third painting, we will paint a Hawthorn, Missouri‘s State Flower. This painting project will help you spring into your creative side!

Gather your own supplies and follow step-by-step painting instructions, led by volunteer Gala Keller. PLUS learn some fun facts about hawthorns! Small canvases and simple techniques used, no painting experience necessary. Great for kids and adults, lots of fun for a family evening!

This 90-minute program is suitable for adults and youth (ages 6+). Please register with a valid email to receive the program link and a suggested list of supplies. For those that have registered, the supply list will be sent out the week of the program and once again after registration closes. The program LINK will be sent on Thursday, May 2nd. If you do not receive the link, please check your email spam folder.

Registration is required by Wednesday, May 1st. Only one registration needed per screen for multiple participants at the same location.

If you register but do not receive the supply list and/or link the week of the program, please contact Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov, or call (417) 334-4865 ext 0 for more information.

Kids Fish Free in Montauk State Park Saturday, May 4th. Fishing is from 6:30 am to 8:15 pm. The spring branch will be reserved for kids only, but kids will be allowed to fish the entire park with their free tag. Tags can be obtained from 2pm to 5 pm Friday, 5/3 at the registration tent by the fish cleaning station, or all day Saturday May 4. There will be attendance prizes, free tree seedlings, fishing simulator, mobile aquarium, invertebrate tables, and more. Free hotdog and chip lunch will be from 11-1.

Young anglers will have opportunities to experience the fun of catching fish at Bennett Spring State Park’s Kids’ Fishing Day 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on May 4th. Kids ages 15 and under can pick up free trout tags at the park store on May 3th from 5-9 p.m. and all day on May 4th. A section of Zone 2 and Zone 3 at the park will be reserved for youth anglers. Volunteers will be on hand to help. Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help kids, but adults are also asked to let children fish by themselves as much as possible. Only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish in the designated kids’ fishing zone.

Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. To help with Kids’ Fishing Day or for more information please call the Bennett Spring Hatchery at 417-532-4418

Students will learn to weave paracord into bracelets, friendship bracelets, and other articles using different types of weaves. All materials are supplied, and everyone will go home with a new keychain!

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 very slowly through the forest along 0.5 miles of blacktop trail and boardwalks, 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.

Come join us to learn fishing basics.

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish.

Fishing equipment and bait/lures will be provided.

All children under 15 years-of-age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

*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.

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.