Events

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the nature center’s amphibians, fish, and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (May 13 & 27).

Registration will be collected at the event (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 (adults) The first week of May is famous for being the most colorful and blooming week of the year for the Discovery Center's native gardens. Woodland ephemerals are giving way to the first wave of prairie blooms. For wildflower photography fans, the opportunity to capture so many blooms in one place can be challenging. Learn about the basics of good composition, the right lighting and flower identification as we walk the grounds with open eyes and open shutters. Bring your camera or bring your phone, the same basic principles can apply to both. We are confident you will never look at wildflowers the same again! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Registration required by visiting https://deeproots.org/event/container-gardening-with-native-plants-session-1 (adults) Discover how easy and rewarding it can be to grow native plants in containers! Join Deep Roots KC for a hands-on workshop all about growing native plants in containers. Native plants aren't just for large gardens - they can thrive in pots and planters, bringing beauty and ecological benefits to small spaces. In this workshop, we'll explore how to select the right native species for containers, choose appropriate pots and soil and discover plants that will add color and texture to your outdoor spaces. Participants will learn practical tips for planting, watering and seasonal care, and leave feeling confident creating their own native plant containers at home. Whether you have a porch, patio, balcony or just a sunny doorstep, you'll learn how native plants can turn even the smallest space into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden. For more information contact Kay Thomason at kay@deeprootskc.org. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the at least one week prior to the program.

Get Outdoors Day invites families to enjoy a free, hands-on outdoor adventure on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at C. Lee Kenagy Park in Raytown. Hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation in partnership with the City of Raytown Parks and Recreation Department, the event encourages visitors of all ages to explore nature and try new activities. Attendees can enjoy interactive experiences like fishing, rock climbing, atlatl throwing, electric bikes, and learning about local plants and wildlife. Community partners will be on-site with activity booths, including an owl animal ambassador, and food trucks will be available for purchase. With no registration required, Get Outdoors Day is a perfect way to spend a spring day discovering the outdoors and maybe even finding a new favorite hobby.

Registration will be collected at the event (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 (adults) The first week of May is famous for being the most colorful and blooming week of the year for the Discovery Center's native gardens. Woodland ephemerals are giving way to the first wave of prairie blooms. For wildflower photography fans, the opportunity to capture so many blooms in one place can be challenging. Learn about the basics of good composition, the right lighting and flower identification as we walk the grounds with open eyes and open shutters. Bring your camera or bring your phone, the same basic principles can apply to both. We are confident you will never look at wildflowers the same again! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Join local Conservation Educator for an afternoon of planting native trees along a stretch of the Homestead trail. We will meet at the Withersfield Pool to learn about native tree importance and how to plant the tree saplings. Bring your shovels, wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Each family can select a tree to take home for their own yard.

Come learn how to make tasty and wild bitters!

If you would like to make your own bitters, bring along a small jar (~around 1/2 cup - 2 cup size) with a lid. You'll take home some plant material and the knowledge to identify some native plants and common "weeds" and ways to use them for bitters.

Once you are back home, you will provide and add vinegar or alcohol to extract your bitters.

This event is designed for participants 21 years of age and older. No experience is necessary, just curiosity. Come prepared to spend part of the class outdoors. Bring along a can-do attitude, water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, and appropriate footwear.

Registration required (ages 13+) Join the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art's Teen Council in this free event where we will learn how to draw wildlife. We will start with some easy examples and work our way up to drawing a live animal model. All materials will be provided. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.