MDC Nature Programs

Missouri Department of Conservation offers FREE nature classes for outdoor lovers of all ages and abilities. Registration is required for most classes unless indicated. Click on the BLUE text for each class. MDC’s Free Classes & Programs Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

May 2024  ~ June 2024

Learn to FISH or HUNT ~ EAGLES IN MO

Be Bear Aware

 

May 2024

Busch Wildlife Photography Contest

Date: Wednesday, May 1 – Saturday, August 31, 2024 10 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Calling all photographers! Whether you’re a professional or just like snapping photos on your phone, the Missouri Department of Conservation invites you to head on out to one of our largest Conservation Areas in the state this summer. With nearly 7,000 acres of land and a wide variety of habitats, Busch Conservation Area is host to hundreds of species of wildlife. From Cormorants on the lake, Turkeys in the fields, and Beavers in the creek, the possibilities of spotting some of our incredible Missouri wildlife are endless!  Starting May 1st, photos submitted via email to Sabrina.Hansen@mdc.mo.gov will be printed and displayed in the entrance of the St. Louis Regional Office within Busch CA for visitors to view and vote for their favorite photo of the week.  DETAILS and PHOTOGRAPHY RULES HERE

Paint a Hawthorn Flower – virtual class

Date: Friday, May 3 from 5:30-7pm
Location: Virtual Only

Their flowers, their often colorful fruits (depending on species), and their wildlife habitat and landscaping values have endeared hawthorns to Missourians and is the primary reason why the downy hawthorn is Missouri’s state flower. At this program, MDC volunteer Gala Keller will provide step-by-step painting instructions on how to paint the flowers of this beautiful shrub. While the painting is taking place, Keller and other MDC staff will have interesting facts about hawthorns, which can be found across the Show-Me State. Small canvases and simple techniques will be used; no painting experience is necessary. Register HERE

Spring Bird Walk – Going the Distance

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 8 – 9:30 am –  Click here to register
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10 – 11:30 am –  Click here to register.
Location: Forest Park-Kennedy Forest

Share the experience of spring bird migration with us! Kennedy Forest in Forest Park attracts a high concentration of beautiful birds, and it’s a “collector” for these birds escaping the concrete of the city. They will be looking for food, hopping around in the trees, and singing their little hearts out. How do they have enough energy and spunk to be singing after flying hundreds, if not thousands of miles? If migration allows, we will be in for a spectacular show of colors, patterns, energy, and endurance! We will be moving very slowly through the forest along 0.5 miles of blacktop trail and boardwalks, looking for and learning about warblers, buntings, orioles, grosbeaks, flycatchers, and more! We encourage all to attend. No prior bird knowledge required. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, bird field guide, and binoculars if you have them. There will be a limited number of binoculars to borrow.

Hike 102: Get out and Hike

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

This hike is a follow-up to Hike 101 but all are welcome. We will determine a starting point by looking at a topographic map of Rockwoods Reservation. Learn more about hiking basics as we hike the trail we have chosen.Click here to register.

Poisonous and Venomous Things Discovery Table

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center
No registration required.

Come and learn about the poisonous and venomous plant and animals found in the State of Missouri. We will discuss snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms, and everybody’s favorite, poison ivy. No reservations are needed, so drop by the lobby of the Forest Park Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor Center & Educations Center any time between 10 am and 2 pm.

Watercolor Painting: Decorative Flowers

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 10 – 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Join MDC volunteer Pickett Lema for a hands-on lesson in watercolors. In this lesson Pickett will help you create hand painted cards. We encourage you to bring photos of your favorite flowers. All supplies will be provided. Click here to register.

World Migratory Bird Day

Location: St. Louis Public Library- Kingshighway Library
No registration required.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! We will have free and fun activities for adults and children alike. Discover ways you can help bird conservation at the Howard Woods Urban Outreach Office, Brightside Demo Garden, and St. Louis Public Library- Kingshighway Branch to earn a bird-friendly prize.

Conservation Families:Night Skies and Nature Art

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 1 – 2 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Natural light is important to help balance and guide our natural world, especially at night. In urban areas such as St. Louis, you may not even be able to see the stars due to mass amounts of light, otherwise known as light pollution. Hear about light pollution, how it effects our wildlife, and learn ways to help lend a hand to those who need the night sky. We will make a moving and impactful postcard craft that will be put on display for visitors to look at, and then we will mail you your postcards after they’re taken down so you can remember the program. Click here to register.

Folklore of Birds

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Online only

Join us during your lunchtime for a virtual program on birds! From heroic acts to being messengers, and symbols from good and bad, birds are important characters in legends, folklore, and mythology. Celebrate Migratory Bird Day by discovering the beauty and glory of birds in Missouri. Learn how their histories, personalities, and their influence has impacted how they are perceived and seen by mankind. Click here to register.

Virtual: Copperhead Study Findings Presentation

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024 7 – 8:30 pm
Location: Online only

Copperheads conjure up curiosity, mystery, and even fear. In truth they are one of Missouri’s most intriguing and often least understood venomous snakes. Dr. Ben Jellen has conducted a study of copperheads at Powder Valley Nature Center over a period of five years. Learn about his latest findings at this special virtual presentation. Click here to register.

Goodness Snakes Alive!

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024 9:30 – 11:00 am –  Click here to register.
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 9:30 – 11 am –  Click here to register.
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Snakes are amazing animals and not really scary at all. Come and join us to learn lots of neat things about snakes like how they move, smell, hear and eat. There will be live snakes that are found in Missouri to looks at and even touch. We will also go outside and try to find some snakes in their natural habitat. Participants should be prepared for a short walk on a crushed stone trail. Meet at the Rockwoods Visitor Center. Register each child attending.

FULL – Watercolor Painting: Mother’s Day Cards

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024 10 – 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Join volunteer Pickett Lema for a hands-on lesson in watercolors. In this lesson Pickett will help you make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift. We encourage you to bring photos of your favorite native flower arrangements. All supplies will be provided. Click here to join waitlist.

Awesome Snakes and Lizards

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024 1 – 2:30 pm –  Click here to register.
Location: Rockwoods Reservation –

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 1 – 2:30 pm –  Click here to register.
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Snakes and lizards are really amazing animals. Because they are reptiles, they are much different than the animals we are most familiar with. Come and discover many incredible things about the snakes and lizards that live in Missouri. There will even be a live snake that you will be able to touch if you would like to. We will also go outside and try to find some snakes and lizards in their natural habitat.

Meet at Rockwoods Visitor Center. Be prepared to take a short walk on the Trail Among the Trees.

Learn Atlatl

Date: Monday, May 13, 2024 5:30 – 7 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range

An atlatl is an ancient tool used to throw a light spear known as a dart. This program will focus on practicing technique during sport target shooting for beginners. Information about different styles of atlatls and darts will also be covered. Click here to register.

Babes in the Woods:What’s Croaking in the Woods?

Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 8 – 9 am  Click here to register.
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 9 -10 am  Click here to register.
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

What is making all that noise near our pond on the Tanglevine trail? Join us to learn about the life cycle of amphibians. Then we will take a hike to look for tadpoles and frogs!

Preserving Missouri’s Treasured Species

Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 9 am – 12 pm
Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

When was the last time you saw a monarch butterfly fluttering through your flowers? Or a bald eagle swooping down to catch a fish in the Mississippi River? What about a gray bat returning to its place in a cave? It might have been a while, but you may experience these events more often in the future because all these creatures have something in common. Each is or has been on a list of species protected by the (Federal) Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Wildlife Code of Missouri also helps to protect threatened and endangered species in Missouri. We will discuss why certain species are in danger of extinction, and how the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is helping to preserve them for future generations. Click here to register.

Signs of Spring Discovery Hike

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 10 – 11 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Birds are singing! Flowers are blooming! Learn about the seasonal changes that spring brings to Rockwoods Reservation. We will take a 1-mile hike on the Rock Quarry Trail to explore the signs of spring using your five senses. This program is targeted to students 5-12 years of age. The hike will be on natural terrain and include uphill and downhill hiking. Meet at the Visitor Center. Please dress for the weather. Sunscreen, hats, closed toe shoes, and insect repellant are recommended. Click here to register. Please register all participants attending individually. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Homeschool: Beginning Caving

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024 10 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Come on over to Rockwoods Reservation for afternoon of Spelunking! We will begin this program in the classroom at the Rockwoods Education Center, where we will learn more about caves in Missouri, what kind of critters we might find in them, and why our cave ecosystems are so special! After about 45 minutes in the classroom, we will gear up in our helmets and knee pads and head to Bathtub Cave to do some exploring.

**Note: You will have to crawl into the entrance and crawl in the cave. The very beginning of this cave is roughly 1 foot tall. Please dress appropriately for the weather and for 55-degree temperatures. Please wear pants and a long sleeve shirt that you do not mind getting dirty. An extra change of clothes, water, and a snack is recommended. Helmets and one flashlight will be provided. Please wear rubber boots as well and bring two additional sources of light (such as headlamps or flashlights). If large clusters of bats are encountered, the field trip portion will be cut short. Please register each person who attends to go into the cave individually. ***Only the age range (7 and up) will be allowed in the cave.

Program will be canceled in inclement weather and rescheduled at a different date. Click here to register.

Breakfast with the Birds and Blooms

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 8 -11 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation
No reservations are required

Join us for breakfast while enjoying the birds and blooms of Rockwoods Reservation! Come and take a stroll through the newly renovated native wildflower gardens around the Visitor Center while enjoying a doughnut and a cup of shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee! Naturalists will be available to share information about the flowers and how you can grow them in your yards or container gardens. Also, spring is an excellent time to see and hear the wonderful birds of Rockwoods! Learn how to identify those birds using the Merlin bird identification app. Naturalists will also be sharing tips on what you can do to protect birds and help them thrive, including that coffee that you will be enjoying! All are welcome to stop by for a few minutes or spend some time relaxing with us enjoying the sights and sounds of spring!  Meet at the Visitor Center. All are welcome!

Special Event: Scout and Family Day

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

This Scouting event is free and will offer Scouts and their families the opportunities to test their outdoor skills, work toward a number of conservation-related merit badges* and explore the diversity of career opportunities with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Found throughout the grounds at PVCNC, activity stations will help Scouts and their families appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future. Activities include:

• Fire Building
• Outdoor Cooking
• Compass and Orienteering
• MO Plant and Animal ID
• Crafts
• and more!

Activity stations will be both indoors and outdoors. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes. Registration is required. To secure your spots, register everyone who will be attending this event (including children). *Scout leaders should note that MDC will offer activities that may be applied towards merit badges, but the department is not authorized to sign off on badges. It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them. Click here to register.

Spring Wildflowers at Rockwoods

Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. We hope to find bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, trillium, wild phlox, and spring beauty. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.” We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch. Click here to register.

Valley View Glades Trail Guided Hike

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024 11 am – 1 pm
Location: Valley View Glades Trailhead

Explore and learn about the unique and diverse ecosystems of Valley View Glades Natural Area with an MDC naturalist. Valley View Glades Trail is a marked loop trail that runs 2.6 miles through the glade and an oak-hickory forest. Terrain is moderate and has several uphill and downhill stretches. Trail is unpaved and not ADA accessible. Please dress for the weather. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, water, a hat, and sunscreen, socks that cover the ankles, and bug spray are recommended. Trekking poles would be useful, and extra trekking poles will be available to use if desired. There are no restrooms at the trailhead, and closest public restrooms are in the town of Hillsboro about 10 minutes away. For the comfort and safety of all participants, dogs will not be welcome on this guided hike. Children are welcome at guardian’s discretion. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by trusted adult. Please register each person attending separately. Click here to register.

Conservation Kids: You and Me under the Canopy: Get a Life Cycle!

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Tower Grove Park-New Comfort Station

Do your little ones enjoy being in nature? Appreciate the natural world through a story, songs, movement, and play as you sit under the canopy for a “nature” adventure. Come see the topic we are exploring this month. Younger children and siblings are welcome. Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site. Please dress for the weather. Click here to register.

Cicada-pocalypse: Virtual Webcast Class

DATE: May 23 from 12noon-1pm
REGISTER HERE and then join live on May 23

The invasion is happening! Once in more than a decade, millions of red-eyed, buzzing bugs are or will soon be just about everywhere in much of Missouri! Mass emergences of millions of periodical cicadas, which happen every 13 or 17 years, are happening this spring.  The Wild Webcast will feature MDC Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank who will share her expertise and excitement on the happening or pending mass emergences of periodical cicadas. Periodical cicadas are different from the familiar annual cicadas, which emerge from the ground every year and make their droning noise during the heat of late summer.Click Here to Register

Forest/Woodland Management Workshop: Woodland Workshop

Date: Friday, May 24, 2024 9 am – 2 pm
Location: Warren County USDA Service Center

Come join us for a workshop geared toward managing forests and woodlands. This workshop will highlight different management options available to maximize wildlife potential and timber value. Stops on the tour will highlight restoration activities including prescribed fire and woodland restoration, and we will discuss different management practices as well. Part of this workshop will include a 1-mile hike through steep and rugged hills to view various timber management projects, so please come prepared with appropriate clothes and footwear. Lunch will be provided but seating is limited so please bring a lawn chair.  This workshop is on private land south of Warrenton. Location and directions will be provided to all registrants after registration closes. Click here to register.

Nature’s Nook Book Club

Date: Friday, May 24, 2024 10 – 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Join us as we read OF TIME AND TURTLES by Sy Montgomery (one of our favorite authors). This book is about rescuing turtles and the people who devote their lives to saving them. Click here to register.

Beginning Archery

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 3 – 4:30 pm –  Click here to register.
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 5:30 – 7 pm –  Click here to register.
Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

Come to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area and put your basic archery skills to the test! We will learn about archery and archery range safety, how to use a compound bow, and test out our new skills! Following NASP requirements, all participants must be ages 9 and up.  Please note that this program will take place outside, so please dress accordingly, and bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Conservation Families: Trivia Night

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024 7 – 9:00 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Gather your family and friends to put your nature knowledge to the test! Questions will cover several topics, all with a nature twist. Teams will be limited to 6 participants. Each participant on your team must register separately. The minimum age to register is 12, but younger children are welcome to attend. Don’t have a full team? No worries, we can help you find a friendly group. Participants will be able to arrive 30 minutes early to set up their table. Bonus points will be given to the team with the best table theme and décor. Feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Register Here

 

June 2024 – coming soon

Eagles of Missouri:

Learn more about bald eagles in Missouri from the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle.

Fishing – Hunting

Featured programs during the month of May include:

• Hunting
  • Hunter Education Skills Session: May 6, from 5 – 8 p.m. at August A. Busch Shooting Range
  • Hunter Education Skills Session: May 15, from 6 – 9 p.m. at Powder Valley Nature Center
• Angling
  • Learn to Fish: Introduction to Fly Tying: May 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Jay Henges Shooting Range
  • Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling: May 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Forest Park Hatchery
  • Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot & Bait a Hook: May 18, from 9 – 11 a.m. at Suson Park – Rearing Pond
  • Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4: Intro to Pond Life and Fishing with Lures: May 30, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Forest Park Hatchery
• Shooting
  • Shotgun: Introduction to Trap Shooting: May 7, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at August A. Busch Shooting Range
  • Atlatl: Learn Atlatl: May 13, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Jay Henges Shooting Range
  • Handgun: Beginning Handgun: May 20, from 6 – 9 p.m. at Jay Henges Shooting Range