Events

Everyone loves a good story, and we have plenty of them here at the nature center! You and your little one can watch and listen as our Naturalist reads a couple nature stories. This program is designed for children 0-6 years of age, but is open to all ages.

Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

Join us for our regular virtual program series where you can ask the naturalist questions about nature topics. Learn what causes leaves to change color in the fall and discover the best time and place to see autumn colors followed by a live Q&A session with Naturalist Morgan Wyatt. When registering, please provide an active email address in your profile as you will receive a link the day prior to the program. All ages.

Fall colors are a natural highlight on the Missouri landscape every year. Join us for an in-depth look at why trees change, what makes a more colorful year, more! This program is open to all ages but is most appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

Registration required (adults)

Learn what you can do to plant and prepare for next years’ wild edible bounty.

Join us for our regular virtual program series where you can ask the naturalist questions about nature topics. Learn what causes leaves to change color in the fall and discover the best time and place to see autumn colors followed by a live Q&A session with Naturalist Morgan Wyatt. When registering, please provide an active email address in your profile as you will receive a link the day prior to the program. All ages.

Lesson 3&4

Lessons 1 & 2 MUST be taken before any of the other Discover Nature Fishing Lessons.

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 suitable for outdoor and water activities. We will be following local mask and social distancing guidelines. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen. This class is for ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All persons in your group MUST be individually registered.

Class at Lake 15

We know autumn colors are a fleeting experience, and now is the time to pause and take in its beauty. In the Northland, there is a local gem called Maple Woods. It offers a quick escape from suburbia and concrete. Maple Woods is a mature maple and oak forest with an understory of paw paws. Join a Conservation Educator to become familiar this 1 mile moderately strenuous loop trail to discuss fall happenings and to pause to connect to this exceptional place.

Grab your hiking stick and join a guided hike at Arrow Rock State Park in Saline County. 3 miles-moderate. Meet at the Runge Nature Center or the trailhead. Hike leaders will contact participants before the hike to give directions if needed. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Registration Required. Ages 18 and up.

Skunks, spiders, and snakes, oh my! These not-so-spooky animals may have an undeserved, bad reputation but we’ll take a closer look and find out the important roles that they play in nature. We will get to meet a variety of misunderstood animals in this virtual program.

Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address to receive a link to the virtual program.

They show up in nursery rhymes, songs, and children’s stories. Thousands can be found in forests and fields. Hundreds may be in your backyard and some can share your house with you! Let’s look closer at these tiny animals- spiders- that live among us. Registration required. Ages 0-2 years.

This class is a 12 month program that will meet once a month. You will learn simple but beautiful embroidery techniques while also exploring the flora and fauna of Missouri's swamps. Each block is based on the Swamps of Missouri.

Learn embroidery techniques while also exploring Missouri’s swamps by stitching quilt blocks based on that theme.

Hike a narrow path among the trees behind Lake 33 keeping an eye out for deer, raccoons and owls. Later, we'll explore a few spots around the Lake under the full moon. Amateur photography is welcome. Bring your bug spray, light source, and meet at the East privy lot at Lake 33.

Registration required (ages 10+)

Join us at the Discovery Center to celebrate Birdability Week 2021! This event will be an accessible and inclusive outing welcoming current and budding bird enthusiasts. Beginner birders are particularly encouraged to attend, along with birders of any level that aspire to nurture others to discover the delights of birding. Our 45-minute outing will take place on Discovery Center grounds, following a 0.25-mile flat, paved trail with a few benches along the way. We’ll travel the trail at a leisurely pace alongside forest, prairie and aquatic habitats to enjoy a variety of birds. Binoculars will be provided along with instruction and assistance on how to use them. For more information on Birdability Week 2021, visit www.birdability.org.

Take a trip with us down a Missouri stream to discover plants and animals that depend on clean water to survive and flourish. Each month a different applique block based on this year’s theme, River Trail Discoveries, will be revealed. October's applique block and presentation features the mink. Ages 16 and up. Registration Required.

Every third Thursday at 12pm, we’ll tour the native landscape at MDC’s Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by native landscape specialists Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, this monthly series features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year, This program is a partnership with Deep Roots.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED THROUGH THE DEEP ROOTS WEBSITE: https://deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon/

Come spend a delightful fall afternoon hiking in Rockwoods Reservation. We will discuss why tree leaves change color. Hopefully we will be able to see and identify many beautiful trees as they show their fall colors. You will also see how “Wise Use” over the past 83 years has transformed Rockwoods into an amazingly beautiful place. Participants should be able to do a 1 ½ mile hike with a 200-foot elevation gain. This program is geared towards homeschoolers, but all can attend. MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate.

Whether you are backpacking, camping, or at a backyard cookout, food just tastes better when it’s cooked outside! We will learn how to cook outside safely and practice a variety of different techniques before tasting our hard-earned rewards.

Join us on a hike at Powder Valley to see some of the many spiders that are common in Missouri and learn about why spiders are important and unique creatures. This program will be outside, and we will be hiking in intermediate terrain for just under an hour: please wear appropriate clothing and bring water and sunscreen.

Registration is required and current COVID-19 guidance will be followed.

Have you been wanting to be more present in nature? Join us at Rockwoods Reservation as we take a short walk around the Education Center and gather fallen items (leaves, small pinecones, etc.) to make a decorative nature mobile. Together we will learn to how to practice mindfulness in nature. Meet at the pavilion by the Education Center, located 1.5 miles from the entrance gate off of Highway 109/Woods Ave. Dress for the weather, and in case of rain, we will be indoors in the Education Center classroom. MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate.

Take a (virtual) trip with us down a Missouri stream to discover plants and animals that depend on clean water to survive and flourish. Each month a different applique block based on this year’s theme, River Trail Discoveries, will be revealed. October's applique block and presentation features the Mink. Participants need to attend this virtual program to receive the applique block/pattern which will be e-mailed after the presentation. Ages 16 and up. Registration Required. Participants will receive an e-mail with a link to the program both 24 hours and 1 hour prior to the start of the virtual presentation.

Take a trip with us down a Missouri stream to discover plants and animals that depend on clean water to survive and flourish. Each month a different applique block based on this year’s theme, River Trail Discoveries, will be revealed. October's applique block and presentation features the mink. Ages 16 and up. Registration Required.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.

Registration is required to attend this special event. All activities are outdoors. Choose from 7 nightly guided hike times. Please register each member of your party as a limited number of tickets will be issued for each hike.

Get ready for some nighttime fun during our annual guided Halloween hikes. In the style of Wild Kratts, learn about the “Wild Rats—An Adaptation Adventure” as you work with some folks who resemble cast members to help solve the Mystery of the Missing Martin. Prepare for some entertaining sights without the frights. Fun for all ages. Dress for the weather (costumes welcome) and plan on 50 minutes for the hike.