MDC’s Northeast Regional Office announces February programs

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville is open and ready to help you connect with nature this winter.

To help ensure public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, MDC asks all visitors to observe current, local guidelines regarding physical distancing and masking. Participants should wear masks covering mouth and nose indoors and at all public programs.

MDC Naturalist Alyssa Garver has a full schedule of programs planned for February. Most programs require registration in advance and space is limited, so Garver encourages guests to familiarize themselves with MDC’s event website at mdc.mo.gov/northeastevents.  

February programs at the regional office will include:

• Nature Scene Painting
  Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6–8 p.m. — ages 16+
  Nature’s beauty is all around us. Many famous painters found inspiration for their art in nature. Learn to paint a nature scene, from sweeping landscapes to other nature details such as a fuzzy caterpillar scuttling along a leaf. This event will be led by volunteers who will give a tutorial on how to paint a nature scene. Participants age 12–15 may also register, if accompanied by an adult. MDC will supply all art supplies.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182361.  

• Trout Fishing: Part 1 — Virtual Program
  Thursday, Feb. 10, 4–5 p.m. — all ages
  This free virtual program will begin with a discussion of how the types of bait and tackle differ from other common fishing pole setups, as well as regulations and locations to fish for trout.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182359.  
• Trout Fishing: Part 2
  Saturday, Feb. 12, 1–3 p.m. — all ages
  Discover nature at Spur Pond in Kirksville and learn to catch and release rainbow trout.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182362.   
• Owl Pellets
  Wednesday, Feb. 16, 4–5 p.m. — all ages
  Learn about food chains, owls, and more through the investigation of owl pellets.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182363.
    
• Backyard Wildlife — Virtual Program
  Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4–5 p.m. — all ages
  Viewing and enjoying wildlife on your property continues to be a popular form of outdoor recreation. Learn about some of the more popular animals you may see in your very own backyard with this virtual program.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182360.    

Visitors can conveniently manage program registration online at mdc.mo.gov/northeastevents. The first step in registering for a program is creating an account, then signing up for future programs is simple. Once registrants create an account and register for events, they will receive details about those specific programs.

Families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own accounts which will streamline the program registration process.  Once a group account is set up, parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to logoff and login for each individual.  This functionality will allow parents to register their entire family or select family members to an event at the same time.  First, users will log into their account and click “My Group Profile,” then add family members to their account.  Setting up a group account today will make program registration quicker and easier for all MDC programs.

Sign up for email and/or text updates about MDC programs near you at mdc.mo.gov/GovDelivery.

Events at MDC’s Northeast Regional Office are free, thanks to the one-eighth of 1 percent conservation sales tax. The facility is open to visitors 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, and trails on the surrounding public grounds are open 4 a.m.–10 p.m., daily. Visitors should practice physical distancing and wear masks covering mouth and nose when distancing is not feasible. 

MDC’s Northeast Regional Office will be closed on Friday, Feb. 11, for Lincoln’s Birthday, and Monday, Feb. 21, for Washington’s Birthday. Trails will remain open daily, 4 a.m.–10 p.m.

For more information about programs at the Northeast Regional Office, visit mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/northeast-regional-office, or call 660-785-2420.