Conservation Education

Nature Activity

Insect-O-Rama

• Where: Northwest Regional office, 701 James McCarthy Dr., St. Joseph
• When: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to noon
• Who should attend: All are welcome.
• Reservations are required: Call (816) 271-3100

What’s creepy and crawly, has six legs and lives right in your backyard? That’s right — insects! We don’t think of them as “wildlife,” but insects are among our most fascinating fauna. Learn more about Missouri’s insects at the Northwest Regional office’s second annual “Insect-O-Rama.” At this event, you’ll be able to watch a monarch butterfly getting ready to hatch, use a microscope to get a closer look at tiny critters and play games to win prizes. Or, if you’re up for an adventure, join the aquatic insect sampling at the pond — you never know what lurks below! Aside from learning more about insects at this event, you’ll get a chance to meet snakes, turtles, fish and salamanders in our exhibit room. The event is free, and no registrations are necessary. We hope to see you there!

New Nature Media for Kids

Sign up now for free magazine/web combo.

Help the special kid in your life explore adventures in nature. Subscribe to Xplor, the Department’s new multi-media “nature-tainment” designed just for Missouri’s 8- to 12-year-olds. Packed with photos and illustrations, this free bimonthly magazine will launch in February 2010. Once subscribed, kids will be able to follow Department photographers David Stonner and Noppadol Paothong as they stalk Missouri’s wildlife and capture conservationists in action. The “Yuck!” department will give kids the scoop on all things slimy, gooey, stinky and just plain gross. In each issue, kids can see their own and their friends’ activities illustrated in the section, “My Outdoor Activity.” A companion Web site featuring videos, photos and games will also introduce kids to the Department’s nature illustrators, David Besenger and Mark Raithel, who will show browsers how to draw basic critters. To subscribe to Xplor, e-mail Subscriptions@mdc.mo.gov.

Discover Nature—Schools

New elementary pond, forest and prairie unit available.

Fun is in your students’ nature, and Nature Unleashed helps them get outside and explore it. Our new education unit for third-to-fifth graders has colorful, engaging student books and teacher guides. Field-tested activities are aligned to Missouri’s grade level expectations, so you can use them with confidence. Using Nature Unleashed makes you a part of our Discover Nature—Schools program, which provides training, funding opportunities and other benefits. Get started this year with Nature Unleashed and Discover Nature—Schools by contacting your education consultant or exploring the link listed below.