Conservation Education

Nature Activity

Eagle Days Statewide

• Where: Clarksville in Pike Co., Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis Co., Smithville, Squaw Creek in Holt Co., Lake Ozark, Springfield, and Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Puxico
• Check schedules and details: see links listed below.

Eagles have made a big comeback in Missouri, and winter is the best time to watch them perching, soaring and diving for fish along rivers and lakes. To celebrate the return of wintering bald eagles, many MDC locations hold annual Eagle Days events. Great for families, these events feature live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, guides with spotting scopes and refreshments. Visit online for details about the seven Eagle Days events held around the state. This Web page also lists 12 excellent locations for eagle watching if you can’t make it to an Eagle Days program. Some of the best viewing locations include Bagnell Dam Access at Lake of the Ozarks, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Truman Reservoir. We hope you’ll join us at an Eagle Days event or use our Web resources to view our national symbol in the wild.

Get Your 2009 Calendar

At Nature Shops and online while supplies last

Chock-full of dazzling photographs, fascinating natural history details and native-plant gardening reminders, the Conservation Department’s Natural Events Calendar sells out fast every year. The 2009 edition features Department of Conservation staff and volunteer photos of Missouri plants, animals and landscapes in every season, and it’s on sale now. This year’s opening spread features wild animal babies and the message, “If you care, leave them there.” Home gardeners will appreciate native-plant gardening tips following the monthly pages. Don’t wait to get the 2009 Natural Events Calendar for every nature lover on your Christmas shopping list. To order, call toll-free (877) 521-8632 or visit online. The price is just $7 each, plus shipping, handling and sales tax, where applicable. You can also find them at nature center and Department of Conservation offices where Nature Shops are located.

Arbor Day Poster Contest

Fifth-grade classrooms eligible to participate

Missouri’s fifth-graders are challenged to create posters reflecting the theme “Trees are Terrific … In Cities and Towns!” The annual contest, co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Community Forestry Council, the National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota Motor Corporation, educates children about the importance of planting and caring for trees. The deadline for state contest entries is Feb. 6. Fifth-grade teachers can order a contest packet by contacting Donna Baldwin, poster contest coordinator for Missouri, at PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or e-mail donna.baldwin@mdc.mo.gov.