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Discover Nature — Fishing offers families with children between the ages of 7 and 15 a hands-on introduction into angling.
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When You Were a Kid, Where Did You Connect With Nature?
Think back to when you were a kid when the approaching spring and summer months filled you with excitement. The trees started to turn green, flowers bloomed, and the park was a perfect place to meet up with friends for a game of tag. Spring is a great time to get outdoors with family and friends. Taking a walk in the woods or getting out on the water will help you relax, unwind, and connect with nature.
When things get green and the birds start to sing, it’s the perfect time to capture some memories and Never Lose Touch.
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Discover the benefits of nature and how to connect in the recent Missouri Conservationist feature.
MO Outdoors App
Find the right spot for all your outdoor adventures
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Nature Journaling
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Whether you enjoy birdwatching, hunting, fishing or simply taking casual strolls, a nature journal is a place to record your observations and increase your knowledge of the outdoors. Use your journal as a tool to enhance your experiences; draw plants and animals, and write about subjects that interest you. Record natural occurrences and compare differences in those that you notice year after year.
Use your journal often, and don’t be afraid to try new language and methods to record what you see, smell, hear, touch or taste. Be creative; your journal should express how YOU feel about nature. The benefits of nature journaling include:
- Gets us outside and connects us to nature
- Can help reduce stress
- Enjoyed by all ages and skill level
- Record time you’ve spent together as a family
- Encourages curiosity
- Provides mental stimulation
- Engages your senses
- A good way to take a tech-break
- Helps with mindfulness
- Observation can deepen learning
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Help Nature by Planting Native Flowers
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Connect with the outdoors this spring by making plans to plant native plants. Whether you have a balcony garden, a small urban lot, or a 4-acre parcel, you can include native plants in your landscape.
Native plants create beauty and interest with a progression of flowers and fruits that furnish food and cover for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. In addition, they:
- Are adapted to our climate
- Are adapted to our soils
- Require little or no irrigation
- Seldom require fertilizer or pesticides
Learn more about planting native plants by listening to the Nature Boost Podcast or go to the MDC website to learn how to plant native plants, including in full sun or shade.
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Reconnect With Nature
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Find events going on in your area.
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Subscribe for free, digital or paper, of our award-winning magazine.
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The Nature Boost podcast covers everything from natural health benefits to outdoor recreation.
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Nature Is Healthy
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Feeling stressed, worn out, or mentally frazzled? Research shows that spending time in nature, including at conservation areas, urban parks, and in green space, can ease stress levels. Even just 20 minutes outside can give your brain an energy boost comparable to a cup of coffee (but we still love coffee, too!). Exposure to nature also contributes to your physical well-being such as reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Let nature—which is free and close by—be your go-to self-care and health.
Download our free Mo Outdoors app to find nature near you, including directions on how to get there.
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Make It Social
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Giving Back To Nature
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Nature is amazing. It is also needs to be cared for to keep it thriving. Volunteers make a huge impact in conservation efforts in Missouri from cleaning up streams, planting trees, or helping people connect with nature. There are so many ways to give back while being out in nature and exploring Missouri. Don’t forget to invite your friends!