Events

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.

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. We hope to find bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, trillium, wild phlox, and spring beauty. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.”

We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring water and magnifying glass if you have one. Please register each participant individually.

With spring in full swing MO amphibians are starting to come out. People misidentify frogs and toads often this time of year. Learn the key differences between them and meet a few of the frogs and toads we have in the nature center.

There are many opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature in Jackson County! 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 Rotary Park, 600 NW Vesper St, Blue Springs, MO 64014. Activities include fishing, wild edible plants, birding, outdoor yoga, archery and so much more! There will be something for all ages.

Walk-in (all ages) The Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF) is on site for a spring native plant sale. 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.

What has feathers and is truly fantastic? Birds! Let’s investigate all the wonderful things that feathers do for birds using hands-on demonstrations and activities. Registration required. Ages 7-12

Celebrate Earth Day all week with us! Most plastic materials are never recycled and end up in landfills or in the wild, potentially harming plants and animals. Volunteer Naturalist Dana Tideman will present appropriate ways to recycle and how to repurpose items in unique ways! All ages.

Red, blue, white, and green; what beautiful colors appear in spring! Learn about the beautiful blooms in spring and participate in some fun and flowery sensory activities and crafts. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Has anyone ever copied you? That happens to some of Missouri’s wild animals. They get tricked by something that is a copy when they think it is real. Come watch as Runge’s Puppeteers show how copycats mimic other things. You can even discover why being a fake can really be good. No registration required. All ages.

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.