Conservation Education

Nature Activity: Rockwoods Maple Sugar Festival

Program: Maple Sugar Festival

Where: Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd., Wildwood

For more information: (636) 458-2236

Fragrant and delicious, maple syrup is an original American treat. Learn how to make your own at Rockwoods Reservation’s annual Maple Sugar Festival, Saturday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your family and discover how Native Americans and early settlers tapped maple trees, collected sap and boiled it down to syrup. Walk through the woods and learn how to identify maple trees after their leaves have dropped. Collect your own sap, boil your own syrup—and enjoy the sweet taste of success. Please dress for the weather.

There’s no charge for the festival and no reservations are required. However, if your school or group (25 to 35 people) can’t attend the festival and wants to enjoy the Maple Sugar program, please call (636) 458-2236 to make a reservation.

Visit "Events" to find conservation events around the state.

We Need Volunteers!

Regions are offering volunteer training in early 2008.

If you love sharing your passion for the outdoors with others, consider volunteering at your local Department of Conservation facility. Several regions are taking applications and offering volunteer training this winter and spring. Call the location nearest you for full details about dates, times and topics.

Burr Oak Woods in the Kansas City region is offering two training programs—one for adults and one for 14- to 19-year-olds. Call Lisa LaCombe at (816) 228-3766, ext. 232.

The St. Louis region needs volunteers for a number of positions. Call Angie Weber at (636) 300-1953, ext. 224.

The Ozark region is hosting a volunteer training for the new Twin Pines Conservation Education Center; call (573) 325-1381 for more information. The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will hold a volunteer training from Jan. 24 through Feb. 28. Call Steven Juhlin at (573) 290-5218.

Naturescaping Workshops

Visit our Web site for the date and place nearest you.

If you want more birds and butterflies in your yard, plant more native plants. Many native wildlife depend on certain species of native plants during part or all of their life cycle. Also, native plants are adapted to Missouri’s soils and climate. Learn how to choose, plant and maintain the right native plants for your landscape at a Naturescaping Workshop this spring. Several nature centers around the state are offering the workshop, and most include a native plant sale. Find dates, locations and full details on our Web site.