Events

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

Registration required (All ages)

Spring refreshes the cycle of life, brings out the birds and flowers start their show. Seize the time to enjoy the beauty of this short season as we walk looking for birds and wildflowers!

Walk-in (all ages) The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) is on site for the first of three native plant sales for the spring and fall planting season. Grow Native! vendors will be on hand with a wide selection of native flowers, grasses, sedges, shrubs 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. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

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.

Registration required. CALL 660-530-5500 TO REGISTER. REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 8 at 8:00am. Participants 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Only open to first time participants.

Participants will learn about conservation efforts with paddlefish, techniques for snagging and go out snagging on Lake of the Ozarks for 2-hours.

For more information email Trish.Yasger@mdc.mo.gov

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.

Have you, a friend or the kids wanted to try archery? Join archery instructors at Smithville Lake for some fun outdoor time learning about equipment, the shooting range, eye dominance and all the ins and outs to get you started. We will do some target shooting to improve newly learned techniques or brush off some rusty ones. National Archery in the School concepts will be used. All equipment will be provided. All participants must be registered and be wearing closed toe shoes. (Please note 2 sessions)

Registration required (ages 18+)

Enrich your life by nature immersion to reduce stress, boost immunity, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and many more possible health benefits. Topics to look forward to this year include: Summer Solstice Kayak, Butterfly Picnic and Sound Therapy. Hang around with a naturalist in a quiet alcove of Burr Oak Woods to enjoy some easy nature journaling time from a hammock or camp chair you bring or recline on our tarp (bring a blanket, etc.).

Have you, a friend or the kids wanted to try archery? Join archery instructors at Smithville Lake for some fun outdoor time learning about equipment, the shooting range, eye dominance and all the ins and outs to get you started. We will do some target shooting to improve newly learned techniques or brush off some rusty ones. National Archery in the School concepts will be used. All equipment will be provided. All participants must be registered and be wearing closed toe shoes. (Please note 2 sessions)

Walk-in (all ages) Join us for a celebration of nature as seen through the eyes of area students. View student artwork portraying nature in their different neighborhoods, talk with some of the artists then stick around for the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Registration required (adults) The middle of April is generally the peak bloom of spring ephemerals in the Discovery Center landscape. Ephemerals like bluebells, bloodroot and anemones are short lived blooms that have to flower and pollinate before the trees leaf out and cast the forest floor in shade. Join a naturalist for an evening stroll amongst the blooms. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

This program includes handgun safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. Equipment and ammunition will be provided; you may bring your own firearm and ammunition to the live-fire session.

Registration required by visiting https://deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon (adults) Hit the (virtual) road with Missouri Department of Conservation staff as we explore some of Missouri's unsung habitats. This month we will explore the spring ephemerals blooming at Bluebell Valley in the Kansas City Metro Area. Pat Whalen will take us on a tour of this breathtaking site in its glory. This program is a partnership with Deep Roots.

"Discover Nature Fishing Lessons 3&4" April 20th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Location, Prairie Hollow Educational Lake, Greenwood, MO 64034

Lesson 3&4 combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers intermediate fishing techniques and skills.

lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish and how they relate to their environments and habitat. Lesson 4: Fishing with artificial lures and fishing regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lesson 3 & 4.

Equipment, bait and fishing coaches will be provided.

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

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

Lesson 3 & 4 are part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 3 & 4 are appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older.

Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The BB gun often serves as a first gun for many youths. This fun introduction to the safe and responsible use of BB guns will serve new and future BB gun owners well. Our certified firearms instructors will provide some basic training in rifle shooting fundamentals while allowing participants to have fun plinking at some reactive targets in a safe and structured environment.

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

Walk-in (all ages) It's back - your favorite free plant giveaway! Join us on Earth Day for a day of learning about the wide variety of native plants that can suit your landscaping needs. Explore easy ways to start planting native seeds of grasses and flowers. Discover how our native trees can add long-lasting value and beauty to your landscape. Marvel at how Missouri's wildlife benefits from native plants. We will be giving away free native plants and tree seedlings for you to take home and plant. Stick around for a guided landscape tour along with opportunities to ask experts for advice on improving your landscape with native plants. There will be activities for the while family! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

There are many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in Blue Springs! The Missouri Department of Conservation is partnering with Blue Springs and Jackson County Parks and Recreation to offer this celebration of the outdoors in our community. The event will be held at Kemper Outdoor Education Center, 8201 S Jasper Bell Rd, Blue Springs, MO 64015 on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Activities include kayaking, fishing, wild edible plants, birding, outdoor yoga, archery and so much more! There will be something for all ages.

Walk-in (ages 5+) We are joining multiple Kansas City area conservation partners for the City Nature Challenge, an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities around the globe. Participants will make observations by taking photos and uploading observations using the free mobile app iNaturalist to help create a snapshot of the biodiversity of the metro area! Naturalists will be at the Discovery Center to assist you. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

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!

Walk-in (ages 5+) We are joining multiple Kansas City area conservation partners for the City Nature Challenge, an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities around the globe. Participants will make observations by taking photos and uploading observations using the free mobile app iNaturalist to help create a snapshot of the biodiversity of the metro area! Naturalists will be at the Discovery Center to assist you. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Mushrooms are a delight for animals and people alike! Explore the realm of the fungi and learn what role they play in our environment, and which may be a good addition to your dinner plate. We will be joined by KC Mycological Society President, Brittany Martinez. Foray hike in the woods of Burr Oak Woods to follow presentation.

Birds across Missouri have lots of beak shapes and sizes to help them catch food effectively. Explore the world of bird beak diversity through hands on activities from a bird’s eye view. You may arrive anytime between 1:30 and 3PM to complete at your own pace. Plan to spend approximately 30 minutes to visit every station. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

MDC and the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) manage remnant prairies that will be toured. Space is limited to 30 participants divided into two hiking groups. Biologists will answer questions, help identify birds, and talk about prairie ecology and plant life. The prairies are within a broader area designated by MDC as the Hi Lonesome Priority Geography. In this priority geography, MDC staff works on public and private lands to improve native grassland habitat. The geography has been designated as one of Audubon’s Important Bird Areas and the prairies are on the Great Missouri Birding Trail. Directions https://goo.gl/maps/oUBkFg37qYoogVmz8