Events

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 attending individually.

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

This program is designed for those who have had some experience with shotguns. We will cover safety, appropriate guns and ammunition, rules of the game, etiquette on the field, and field layout. Firearms and ammunition will be provided, or you may bring your own.

This virtual program will provide a time for hunters or hikers to discuss basic survival items that will help you if you were to become lost overnight in the woods.

Celebrate the season by joining a Naturalist guided hike on the Rock Quarry Trail Short Loop. Learn about the identification and ecological importance of native wildflowers, plants and trees we will observe along the way. Participants should be able to hike 1 mile on a trail that requires moderate – difficult effort.

Wear good hiking shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring water and any other hiking needs.

Participants will meet at the Pavillion by the Education Center. Please register each participant individually.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

Are you someone that has never shot a bow and arrow before and you’re not sure how to get started? Or maybe you did when you were young, but never pursued the activity any further. Learn the basics of shooting the bow and arrow utilizing some of the techniques and methods that have been adopted by the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). This course is for those 11 years of age or older with the desire to shoot a bow and arrow but have little or no experience. Learn archery shooting fundamentals while gaining knowledge about equipment options and choices. Note: All equipment will be provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Not recommended for adults with shoulder or back injuries.

* Classes will be CANCELLED if we encounter inclement weather — precipitation or heat (temps more than 90 degrees).

Does the sport of fly-fishing interest you but you just don’t know where to start? Join us at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, Lake 1 to learn the basics of fly fishing. In this class we will cover Fly fishing safety; rod selection; line, backer, leader, and tippet; basic knots; and the basics of fly casting. You will need a valid Missouri fishing permit for this class (participants 15 years of age or younger are exempt). To purchase permits, see, mdc.mo.gov/permits. You will also need to bring a hat and eye protection. If you have your own fly rod you are welcome to use it otherwise, we have rods for you to use. Ages 14 and up.

This program will teach the fundamentals of archery including equipment, safety, stance, and shooting techniques. This event will take place on the static archery range. All equipment will be provided.

Witness a “marsh concert” presented by the toads and frogs of Missouri.

Join us for an evening out on the levees at the Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area. We will learn how to identify toads and frogs by their calls.

Please bring a small flashlight, water, snacks, and dress for the weather.

Participants will meet at Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area on Island Road.

Spring ephemerals consist of several species of wildflowers that only come up for a short period during the spring. Come join naturalists on a hike on Hickory Ridge Trail as we enjoy a beautiful spring hike looking for spring ephemerals, birds, and other wildlife. We will also learn about invasive species along the way and remove some as we go. Hickory Ridge Trail is 1.2 miles in length and consists of steep hills.

** We will meet at the staging area/pavilion off of Tanglevine Trail

Join us this Spring for a round robin to make naturally unique crafts and games for yourself and others. Anyone can be creative or crafty especially this time of year. Inspiration and raw materials from nature are all you need. Columbia Bottom has both. We will make pinecone animals, tic tac toe game, shell turtle, feather pencil and rock face for the garden. Meet at the Columbia Bottom Classroom Building.

This class is designed for individuals familiar to shotguns wanting to get into Trap Shooting. It will cover safety, marksmanship fundamentals for shotgun, recommended gear for trap shooting, and the rules and etiquette for trap shooting. After the classroom portion we will move to the shotgun range to practice. Shotguns and ammunition will be available for those who need it.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

Does the sport of fly-fishing interest you but you just don’t know where to start? Join us at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, Lake 1 to learn the basics of fly fishing. In this class we will cover Fly fishing safety; rod selection; line, backer, leader, and tippet; basic knots; and the basics of fly casting. You will need a valid Missouri fishing permit for this class (participants 15 years of age or younger are exempt). To purchase permits, see, mdc.mo.gov/permits. You will also need to bring a hat and eye protection. If you have your own fly rod you are welcome to use it otherwise, we have rods for you to use. Ages 14 and up.

This event is the stream-side certification to become a Level 1 water quality monitor with Missouri Stream Team.

**You must complete step one, the required virtual learning on the Missouri Stream Team YouTube page, prior to attending this event**

The virtual training videos can be found through this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBQMlfy_cD4DQe07cir0nipWVrbQ2npVy

For more information on the VWQM program, please visit www.mostreamteam.org/water-quality-monitoring.html

For any questions, please email StreamTeam@mdc.mo.gov

Bring your waterproof shoes and prepare to get wet! Rockwoods Reservation has an Education Pond, where we can take a closer look at aquatic plants and animals while observing how they work together in a healthy habitat. As we walk portions around the Education Pond, we will collect aquatic insects and explore amphibian life cycles. We will also become citizen scientists, as we participate in the Rockwoods Reservation Biodiversity Log project, sharing our findings in iNaturalist.

Please bring sunscreen, a personal water bottle, insect repellent, and waterproof shoes.

This is an introductory course on how to shoot 5-stand. You will learn safety, stance, etiquette, and technique. We will proceed to live fire on the 5-stand course. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

The arts of piano music and photography combine as the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes popular northwest musical artist John Nilsen for a statewide tour* of live performances at five of its Nature Centers. The concerts are free and open to the public. Nilsen is a noted pianist and acoustic musician who comes from Portland, Oregon. Nilsen is a sought-after performer throughout the U.S. He has performed in all 50 states and on four continents. As a Yamaha signature artist, Nilsen travels internationally playing over 225 performances a year.

For this multi-media engagement, Nilsen will compliment his nature-inspired music with the spectacular landscape and wildlife images of MDC Photographer Noppadol Paothong. Paothong’s photography can be seen regularly in MDC’s Missouri Conservationist magazine, as well as many other MDC publications.

Notable album releases by Nilsen on the Magic Wing label include, Places I Go, Local Ocean, and the folk-rock CD, John Nilsen and SWIMFISH. More details on Nilsen’s work can be found at johnnilsen.com.

*Tuesday, May 2 at Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center

Wednesday, May 3 at Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Thursday, May 4 at Runge Conservation Nature Center

Friday, May 5 at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Saturday, May 6 at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

Join us this year for the inaugural Jay Henges 5-Stand League. This is a great way to prepare for hunting seasons, improve your sporting clays game, and enjoy a fun shooting experience. This will be a weekly league from April through September during the range business hours on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Some details on the league include:

• League will run from April through September

• League will be shot on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) and Thursday (10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) each week.

• Shooters will participate as individuals in the league, not in a team format.

• Participants must purchase at least two rounds of 5-stand to be scored for the league.

• Participants can shoot their league rounds on either Wednesday or Thursday, but participants will only be scored on one of the two days each week.

• Instruction will be available for those shooters newer to sporting clays.

• No pre-registration is required. Participants will register at the 5-stand field on the day that they shoot.

• Trophies will be awarded at the end of the league in September, with other awards throughout the year as well.

This introduction course to shotguns will start in the Education Center where we will discuss safety, actions, chokes, stance, and how choose and shoot shotguns. Next, we will go to the range for live fire, including some clay target shooting. Not recommended for students under 90 lbs.