Events

Signs of spring can be seen everywhere from birds migrating back to Missouri to blooms on the forest floor. Let’s explore the beauty and uniqueness of ephemeral wildflowers. Join Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center staff to learn how to identify spring wildflowers and which ones you may see in your own backyard. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Register is Required with a valid email address to receive the program link.

Artwork on display in lobby.

Volunteer Naturalist Myra Scroggs will help you find migrating birds during this indoor and outdoor program. Ages 7 to adult.

Now that Spring fishing season is in full swing, and you have caught and cleaned a mess of fish, now is the time to learn how to cook them. In this Virtual Fish Cooking program, we will focus on the common equipment needed for cooking fish, frying, and grilling fish, as well as other methods to prepare fish. This is a combination of the Virtual Fish Cooking Series that was held in April.

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.

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

From fluttering wings to tiny paws, we'll discover how pollinators help flowers bloom and fruit grow!

Join Volunteer Naturalist Mike Mihalik to explore spring wildflowers at Cedar Gap Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring a snack and water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. We will hike the 1.6-mile loop trail.

Any time can be a great time to fish. Let's brush up on those fish-cleaning skills. This session will focus on cleaning scaled and skinned fish. We will look at some of the common equipment needed and common methods of cleaning these fish.