Conservation Education

Nature Activity: Going Frog Wild

Program: Various “frog-wild” activities at nature and interpretive centers around the state

Who should come: Families and friends with children

Dates and Locations: Check "Events" (listed below) for the full list of frog programs and to see which events require reservations.

Frogs are more than cute little pond critters. They enhance our world in countless ways, providing biomedicines, helping control pests and indicating unsafe environmental conditions. Unfortunately, the planet is losing its frog species at an alarming rate.

To help Missourians learn about amphibians, the threats they face and how to conserve them, the Department has joined an international effort to celebrate 2008 as the Year of the Frog. Check out these frog programs scheduled for April. Twin Pines Conservation Education Center in Shannon County goes “Frog Wild for a Hoppy Summer” April 5. The Discovery Center in Jackson County goes “Frog Wild” April 12. On April 18, Department herpetologist Jeff Briggler leads the search for chorus frogs at Forest 44 in St. Louis County. Burr Oak Woods’ reading program, in Jackson County, hops into frogs April 19, and it holds a survey of breeding frog calls May 2.

Fun With Family and Friends

Register now for one of the Wonders of Wildlife Schools.

Want to have more fun outdoors this year? Learn more about natural Missouri and increase your outdoor skills at one of five W.O.W. Schools scheduled throughout the state. Cosponsored by a number of businesses, nonprofits and state agencies, including the Missouri departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, the W.O.W. National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Schools cover outdoor skills, conservation, safety and ethics. Designed for people of all ages, W.O.W. Schools offer families in particular a great opportunity to share quality time together. Participants can choose from several different course topics for both the beginner and experienced outdoor enthusiast. In 2008, you‘ll find W.O.W. Schools at the following places and dates: in Springfield April 25–26, in Columbia May 2–3, in St. Louis June 6–7, in Kansas City Sept. 26–27 and in Roaring River State Park Oct. 10–12. For more information or to register, call 1-877-245-9453 or check out the W.O.W. Web site listed below.

Rain Gardens

Create a refuge for frogs, birds and dragonflies.

The average Missouri roof sheds tens of thousands of gallons of water a year. Where does all this runoff go? Into local stormwater systems, often stressed already by road and parking lot runoff. You can ease the stress on local stormwater systems by diverting your roof runoff into a rain garden. Our free publication, Native Plant Rain Gardens, shows you how to use these miniature wetlands to soak up water and create wildlife habitat. To get it, write to MDC, Native Plant Rain Gardens, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or e-mail pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.