Discover Nature

6 Ideas for Family Fun!

To find more events near you, call your regional office or visit mdc.mo.gov and choose your region.

Maple Sugar Festival, Feb. 1 • Saturday • 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

St. Louis Region, Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd., Wildwood, MO 63038

No registration • All ages

It’s maple sugar time! Experience conservation success and forest resources at their finest — and sweetest. Taste delicious syrup, sugar on snow taffy, and pure maple sugar.

Adventure Birding — Winter Birds, Feb. 8 • Saturday • 10–11 a.m.

Central Region, Runge Conservation Nature Center, MO Hwy 179, Jefferson City, MO 65102

No registration • All ages

Join this new monthly activity for people who share a passion for birds. We will begin with winter bird identification on the trails at Runge Conservation Nature Center. No previous experience is necessary. Please dress for the weather. Binoculars and field guides will be available.

Bringing Martins Home, Feb. 11 • Tuesday • 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

No registration • Ages 8 and older

Purple martins rely on man-made nesting structures for survival. Whether you’re trying to attract martins, have an existing colony, or are just interested in learning more, you’ll enjoy this program.

Half-Day Discovery Hike: Three Creeks Conservation Area, Feb. 15 • Saturday • 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

Central Region, Runge Conservation Nature Center, MO Hwy 179, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Registration required, call 573-526-5544 beginning Feb. 1 • Ages 8 and older

Come discover Three Creeks Conservation Area (CA) with us on this volunteer-led hike to learn basic map reading and compass skills, as well as information about plants, animals, and natural communities. We’ll meet at the nature center and carpool to Three Creeks CA. Bring water, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and dress for the weather.

Musical Maples, Feb. 15 • Saturday • 1:30–2:30 p.m.

Kansas City Region, Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110

No registration • Ages 6 and older

We will take you on a musical journey that will leave a lasting impression about the value of maple trees.

Vulture Venture, Feb. 22 • Saturday • Noon–5 p.m.

Southwest Region, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and Conservation Center, 483 Hatchery Rd., Branson, MO 65616

No registration • All ages

This 18th annual event includes hourly presentations featuring a live turkey vulture (last one starts at 4 p.m.). Indoors, enjoy games, trivia, and activities. Outdoors, view one of the largest winter roosts of vultures in the state near the hatchery.

Discover Nature Photo Contest

Send us your best images of what discovering nature means to you for our new photo contest. New for this year, people can submit entries through the social network of their choice (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc.). When you want to submit a photo through a social network, use the hashtag “#MDCdiscovernature.” For a full list of rules, and to see all submissions gathered together on a tagboard, just navigate to our discover nature contest website: mdc.mo.gov/node/26255. Department staff will select a winner every month and display it on our website. All of the monthly winners will appear in the January 2015 issue of the magazine.