Get Outside in March

Shamrocks in Missouri

Missouri is home to a bit of the luck of the Irish. Clovers and wood-sorrels both have trifoliate leaves, similar to the distinctive three-leaf shamrock. White clover and yellow wood sorrel even have beautiful blooms. Learn more at short.mdc.mo.gov/4fu and short.mdc.mo.gov/4fL.

Wild About Wildflowers

Spring is a great time to learn about Missouri’s native wildflowers. MDC has an online Field Guide that can help you along the way — short.mdc.mo.gov/4fb.

You can visit a prairie or glade and look for the short, early spring wildflowers like early buttercup, false garlic, hoary puccoon, prairie dogtooth violet, and rose verbena. These flowers bloom before the tall grasses grow. 

Or, you can visit a forest or woodland and enjoy the early spring wildflowers — including bloodroot, dutchman’s breeches, early saxifrage, harbinger of spring, and mayapple — that have their blooming time before the trees leaf.

It’s Not a Weed … It’s a Delicacy

This time of year, morel mushrooms get a lot of attention. But there is another common edible plant available right now that is probably more abundant and much easier to spot — the dandelion. Often looked at as an annoying weed, it can also be a delicious edible plant. Fry the flowerheads like you would morels or put them into pancakes. Pick their tender new leaves and have them in a salad.
Of course, forage your wild edibles in places where pesticides have not been used. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4H8.

Spring Snow

Snow geese are moving through Missouri, especially at national wildlife refuges and other large wetland sanctuaries. Their multitudes are a breathtaking sight. Watch for large V- and W-shaped flocks of snow geese flying overhead, including at nighttime. Their white wings reflect city lights below and look silvery against the night sky. At night, their chorus of squawking yips as they fly overhead can mimic the sound of coyotes.

Colors of Spring

If you’re searching for color in early spring, your best bet is to search the trees. Our native trees are often the first pop of springtime color. Redbud trees start blooming in late March and are one of our showiest native blooming trees. Red maples are also blooming, though they are not quite as spectacular. Joining the party is the pawpaw. Its purple-brown flowers appear before the tree puts out its large, broad leaves.

Pond to plate: Fish Cleaning

Tuesday • March 11 • 12–12:30 p.m.

Online only

Registration required by March 10. To register, call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4H2.

All ages

Any time can be a great time to fish. Now that the weather is turning warm and spring fishing season is in full force, it is time to brush up on those fish-cleaning skills. This session will focus on cleaning skinned fish with an emphasis on catfish and paddlefish. We will look at some of the common equipment needed and common methods of cleaning these fish.

Native plants: Organic Gardening

Thursday • March 13 • 12–1 p.m.

Online only

Registration required by March 10. To register, call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4Hu.

All ages

Forty-one percent of insect species across the world have seen steep declines in recent decades and many are currently threatened with extinction. One of the leading causes is pesticides. While usually not the intended target, many native insects fall prey to pesticide use. Do your part to help native insects in Missouri by practicing organic gardening. Learn about organic gardening basics, methods, and solutions in this one-hour, virtual program.

Experience More

Want to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, gain skills, and make happy memories? MDC hosts programs and events statewide — in-person and online. Visit MDC Events to find these programs and more:

• Native plants and landscaping
• Eagle Days
• Hunting and outdoor skills
• Nocturnal animals
• Guided walks and hikes

Go to mdc.mo.gov/events to register for an event near you.

Natural Events to See This Month

Here’s what’s going on in the natural world.

• Crayfish become active in streams.
• Cabbage white butterflies begin to appear.
• Walleye spawning peaks.
• Striped skunks breed through March.

Pickerel frogs emerge from caves.