With Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary this month, MDC encourages people to look for red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Here are some suggestions to get started finding red, white, and blue in nature:

• Red Royal Catchfly Flowers
• Male Summer Tanagers
• White Beard-Tongues or Foxgloves
• White Great Egrets
• Blue False Indigos
• Male Indigo Buntings

Find information on these and other Missouri plants and animals with this MDC online Field Guide: mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide.

---

Click to learn more about these seasonal topics:
Poison Ivy ~ Hummingbirds ~ Keeping Wildlife Wild
Spiders ~ Eagles ~ Be Bear Aware ~ Fishing ~ Birding
Groundhogs ~ Maple Sugaring ~ Vultures
Morel Mushrooms ~Spring Trees ~ Stream Teams
Frogging ~ Collared Lizards

---

Participants with disabilities should email the instructor when registering to discuss accommodations needed to participate. Support staff are usually allowed to attend to provide assistance, but instructors need prior notice.

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 here: Sign Up for MDC News.

July 2026

Amphibians and Reptiles: Snake Encounter
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 11:00 – 11:30 am (Information)
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 11:00 – 11:30 am (Information)
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who call Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the nature center. An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the nature center lobby. No registration needed.

Nature Art: MONEP Holiday Show Non-Member Opportunity
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center It’s the Holiday Season in July! Come see the Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MONEP) members’ stunning images in a terrific production created by MONEP member Jerry Miller. This production will feature amazing images that members submitted for the 2025 Holiday Show all set to music and displayed on the big screen in the auditorium of the nature center. This event is made possible through a partnership between the Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers and the Missouri Department of Conservation and is open to all.

Wild Edibles: Berry Bonanza
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA This program is part of our year-long Wild Edible Plants series, with each month highlighting a different plant part or type of wild edible. The series emphasizes conservation, respectful harvesting, and building a meaningful connection to the land. Participants will build confidence in understanding when, where, and how wild plants can be used as a sustainable food source. In this program, we’ll focus on the berries of late summer. From sumac to elderberry to blackberry, there are endless sweet or sour treats to enjoy. This program will feature an indoor presentation and a sample recipe tasting. This program is recommended for ages 7+. Please register EACH person who will be present. We will be both inside and outside, so please dress accordingly.

Wildlife: Creature Feature: Big and Small 
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Online only
From thundering hooves on the prairie to the nearly invisible hunters in leaf litter, Missouri is home to a wide range of wildlife. Join us has we zoom in on the life of the tiny titans and heavy weights found on the Missouri landscape. Creature Feature is a monthly virtual program that aims to educate Missourians about the natural world one species at a time. Register to receive a Webex meeting link to view the program. The meeting link will be sent out a few days before the program as well as the day of the program.

Nature Art: Nature Crocheters: Dragonflies
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office
Crochet is a great hobby to connect with nature whether crocheting outside in nature or crocheting a nature project! At this Nature Crocheters session, we’ll learn about dragonflies, and crochet a dragonfly keychain! For this class, we’ll be using a beginner-friendly pattern. Participants should know how to crochet and be familiar with chain, single crochet, and double crochet to participate in this program. Please email the instructor if you’d like instructional videos to learn these stitches. All supplies will be provided including yarn and a crochet hook. You are welcome to bring your own supplies as well. Please register each participant individually.

Wildlife: Nature’s Night Shift: Nocturnal Chorus
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Online only
As the sun goes down each evening, nature’s night shift takes over, and during the summer months it can get particularly loud. Join us on a “virtual summer night hike” as we explore the sounds of some of Missouri’s noisiest nocturnal wildlife.

Hiking: A Summer Morning Walk in Tower Grove Park
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Tower Grove Park
A morning walk in the park is a great way to get in some movement and fresh air before the heat of the day! Join us at Tower Grove Park to learn about what’s happening in nature this time of year as we walk the east end of the park and along Nee Kee Nee (East Stream). This program will be completely outside, so please dress accordingly. Bring a water bottle and sunscreen. Our meeting location will be sent prior to the program to your email provided at registration.

Mammals: Virtual: Missouri Black Bears
Date: Friday, July 31, 2026, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Online only
Once considered extirpated from the state, Missouri black bears are beginning to make an impressive comeback. Join us as we discuss the complicated history of these fascinating mammals, and the efforts which are helping them return to their former range. We will also discuss how to reduce human-bear conflict as their numbers continue to grow. This program will be held virtually. A link will be sent both the day before and morning of the program to your email address provided during registration.

Nature Art: Painting with Nature – Adult Class
Date: Friday, July 31, 2026 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Tower Grove Park Comfort Station Ever wondered how to make your own paint? Join us for a hands-on lesson where we will turn berries, bark, leaves, and whatever else we can find into paint. You will learn how to get minerals from rocks and to get pigments out of the plants you see around you every day. Participants will make their own paint to use during the class and to take home. We will meet at the West End Picnic Site, enter from Kingshighway. This class is designed for adults and/or families with older children due to safety. Please register EACH person who will be present.

August 2026

Conservation Families: Stroller Strolls
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Trade the neighborhood sidewalk for the paved trails of Powder Valley! Join volunteers for a guided hiking experience for you and your stroller aged little ones. On the hike the volunteers will engage you with the nature found along the way. What wonderful plants, animals and scenery will you encounter? Only one way to find out! Stroller Strolls is monthly walk designed for parents and guardians with stroller aged children. Please register the child and the parent or guardian.

Aquatics: Pond and Wetland Explorers
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Forest Park Hatchery
Ponds and wetlands are bursting with hidden life, and this people-friendly program invites us to discover it together. With provided nets, containers, and magnifiers, we will gently catch and observe crayfish, tadpoles, amphibians, and aquatic insects offering a tiny window into the underwater world.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Snake Encounter
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 11:00 – 11:30 am
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 11:00 -11:30 am
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 11:00 -11:30 am
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 11:00 -11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who call Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the nature center. After the snake encounter, spend time enjoying the rest of the exhibits! An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the nature center lobby.

Hiking 
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area
Come join us for a relaxing 1-mile guided hike at Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area. Enjoy the calming benefits of being outdoors as we learn about the different plants and birds we encounter along the way. Please, be sure to dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear and take plenty of water.

Insects: Spidering at Powder Valley
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Spiders may seem a little freaky at first, but that’s part of what makes them so fascinating. Once you get to know them, you’ll find that most are completely harmless and truly remarkable. In this people-friendly program, we’ll explore a variety of habitats at Powder Valley Nature Center, searching for and observing several species of harmless spiders.

Introduction to Knot Tying
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Location: Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area
Can’t tie a knot so you tie a lot? This course is designed to show you how to tie the 10 most basic knots for the outdoors. We will explain and demonstrate what each knot is used for and let you have hands on practicing tying each knot.

Nature Art: Kid-Friendly Needle Felting: Summer Wildflowers
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Beat the heat and get creative at Powder Valley! Join a naturalist to learn about Missouri’s beautiful summer wildflowers, then create your own wildflower artwork using 2D needle felting, the art of sculpting shapes with wool. Participants must be 8 years of age or older as we will be using sharp materials.

Birds and Brews – Ruth Park Woods
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 am
Location: Ruth Park Woods
Join us for a 1.5-mile hike through Ruth Park Woods, a pocket of forest nestled in University City. Learn about the adaptability and resilience of urban wildlife communities and practice urban bird IDs as we explore the greenspace. Participants are welcome (and encouraged!) to meet outside the 7 Brew on Olive Boulevard to buy refreshments to enjoy throughout the program. Specific meeting details will be provided to registrants the day before the program.

Little Acorns: Storybook Saturday: Bug Dig
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9:00 -10:30 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join a naturalist at Powder Valley for story time in the forest! Bring your little ones to our campfire ring and listen to On Beyond Bugs: All About Insects, a Cat in the Hat story. Stick around afterwards for a fun bug dig! This program is most enjoyable for ages 4-7, but all are welcome. Please make sure to register ALL who will be attending the program, including adults and children of all ages.

Wild Edibles: Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants Adventure
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Forest 44 Conservation Area
This one-mile foraging skills adventure is designed for people who want a deeper, hands-on look at the natural environments that shape our region. The hike route leads through streamside habitats, dry and moist forests, and open field ecosystems, offering a rich variety of plants and fungi to discover and observe. Participants will learn to identify edible and toxic plants, understand which parts are safe to eat, explore ethical collection practices, and discuss the medicinal uses of wild herbs.

Nature Art: Kid-Friendly Needle Felting: Summer Wildflowers
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Beat the heat and get creative at Powder Valley! Join a naturalist to learn about Missouri’s beautiful summer wildflowers, then create your own wildflower artwork using 2D needle felting, the art of sculpting shapes with wool. Participants must be 8 years of age or older as we will be using sharp materials. Only participants within the designated age range should attend. This helps ensure the activities are developmentally appropriate, safe, and enjoyable for all involved. Please note: This program is for registered participants only, as supplies are limited.

Babes in the Woods: Down and Dirty 
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join us this month for Babes in the Woods: Down and Dirty! In this action-packed hour of fun, we will crawl and climb up the dirt hill, possibly mixing some water to make a muddy mess. We can play in the sand and water as well to see who gets the dirtiest. Meet at the arbor outside the Nature Center. Dress for the weather. Bring a towel and possibly extra clothes to change after getting cleaned up by the hose. This class is designed to get young children more connected with the natural world. After the program, expect to leave with a big smile. Remember to dress for the weather. This program is hosted by the Powder Valley Nature Center on the second Tuesday of every month. Please feel free to join the librarian for story time inside afterwards.

Conservation Kids: Down and Dirty 
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join us this month for Conservation Kids: Down and Dirty! In this action-packed hour of fun, we will crawl and climb up the dirt hill, possibly mixing some water to make a muddy mess. We can play in the sand and water as well to see who gets the dirtiest. Meet at the arbor outside the Nature Center. Dress for the weather. This program is hosted by the Powder Valley Nature Center on the second Tuesday of every month.

Little Acorns: Fishing is Fun!
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation
Fishing is a great way to spend a summer day! Join us for a storybook reading, craft, and hands-on activities that will develop motor skills and grow a love of fish and fishing in your little one. (This class will be indoors and will not include actual fishing). It is designed to prep young kids to be able to fish when they are older. This program is designed for children ages 2-5, but siblings and family members of all ages are welcome. Please register EACH person who will be present.

Conservation Adults: Nature Book Club
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
How many of the area’s eight species of owls have you seen? How many have you heard? Do they all say “Hoo?’ Come explore the lives of these mostly nocturnal birds. Have you had a chance to see Charlie the Great Horned Owl that has been studied for over 20 years while living in Forest Park? We will be reading What the Owl Knows, The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds, by Jennifer Ackerman. This program is hosted by the Webster Groves Nature Study Society Nature Book Group but being a member is not required to participate.

Conservation Kids: You and Me under the Canopy: Busy Bees!
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026, 10:30 am – 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, which are the many native bees in Missouri. Come see the topic we are exploring this month. Younger children and siblings are welcome. Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site.

Hiking: Summer Evening Hike
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Get your dose of nature after work with an adults only, naturalist-led evening hike at Powder Valley! We will be hiking our Hickory Ridge Long Loop, a 1.2-mile paved trail through hilly, oak-hickory forest. Please note: The trail is paved but can still be rough and is very steep. Bring water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes! Please make sure to register all participants ahead of time.

Outdoor Skills: Track and Scat: Whose is that?
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026 5:30- 7:30 pm
Location: Tower Grove Park- New Comfort Station
Animal Tracking is the best way to learn about wildlife and the ecosystem they live in. Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore! Together we’ll investigate a few awesome animals, looking at their teeth, their habitat and their scat to determine what they might be eating. Afterwards, each participant will be able to make and accessorize their very own slime to take home inspired by one of the animals they learned about. Meet the naturalist at the west end Picnic Site. All materials will be provided, including disposable gloves for slime making. It is recommended to bring an old T-shirt or smock for slime making.

Conservation Kids: Children’s Nature Scavenger Hunt
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Location: Tower Grove Park-Stupp Center
Explore the east end of Tower Grove Park on nature scavenger hunt! We’ll meet at the Stupp Center, then begin a short walk to discover some of the plants and animals that call Missouri home. We’ll conclude at the Headwaters of the East Stream (Nee Kee Nee), where participants are welcome to play in the water to cool off! This program is intended for children 3-7 years old, but children of all ages are welcome to attend! Please register each participant individually.

Birds: Owls and Pellets
Date: Friday, August 14, 2026, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Have you ever wondered what an owl eats? Fly into the fascinating world of these nocturnal predators through an owl pellet dissection! This hands-on experience is perfect for curious minds, offering a unique glimpse into the owl’s diet and its role in the ecosystem. Hear about the fascinating adaptations that make owls such great hunters and learn how owl pellets come to be! Each registered participant will receive their very own owl pellet and receive tools to uncover the secrets it holds within.

Special Event: Nocturnal by Nature
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7:00 – 10:00 pm
MU Raptor Rehab Project Raptor Presentation; 8:00- 8:30 pm.
Location: August A Busch Conservation Area
Discover how nature comes alive at night at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area for our biggest event of the year! Inside our Visitor’s Center, you can learn all about nocturnal mammals through touch with pelts and skulls, explore an inflatable cave, and meet some of our resident live nocturnal critters. There will be a raptor presentation with live birds courtesy of MU Raptor Rehab Project from 8:00-8:30 pm. Head outside to view and identify wild moths on a light sheet, enjoy the sights and sounds of nocturnal critters in their natural habitat on a guided night hike, dissect an owl pellet, learn about how light pollution affects native wildlife, view the night sky through a telescope, and enjoy a snow cone! This is a free event open to the public; no registration needed. Upon arrival, please check in at the welcome desk. Flashlights or headlamps are recommended for some outdoor activities.

Nature Art: Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join us for a wonderful presentation by Don Corrigan and Diana Linsley, the authors of Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri. They will share stories and images of some of the places of great beauty in Missouri. Their book is an outdoor nature guide featuring more than 80 sites of natural wonder in the Show-Me State and offers valuable insights on how to visit and enjoy each of them. For those interested the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Insects: Virtual- Butterflies
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026, 12:00- 1:00 pm
Location: Online only
Have you ever wondered about the butterflies in your neighborhood? Can you identify these beautiful creatures from one another? Butterflies bring an array of bright colors that flutter amidst our summer sky. Learn about these winged jewels through an ID quiz and identification techniques for common species that are found throughout Missouri. Gain great tips on how to attract these pollinators to your backyards. An email with link will be sent 24 hours before the presentation.

Insects: Creature Feature: Annual Cicadas
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Online only
The annual soundtrack to summer has emerged! Annual cicadas are wild-looking and sounding insect. While they aren’t as numerous as their periodical cousins, they certainly make themselves known. Join this month’s creature feature to learn all about this unique creepy crawly! Creature Feature is a monthly virtual program that aims to educate Missourians about the natural world one species at a time. Register to receive a Webex meeting link to view the program.

Conservation Adults: Science Class After Dark: Owl Pellet Dissection
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Classrooms C&D
Step back into the magic moments of high school science class with this ages 18+ hands-on experience! Discover how owls protect your home, food, and your health simply by doing what they do best. Then, just like science class, roll up your sleeves as we dig into some owl pellets of our own. We’ll walk you through the basics of digging into a pellet and how to identify even the tiniest bones. Bring a friend, uncover mysterious bones, and learn how our funny, feathered friends play a role in keeping us safe. If you’re attending with a group, please ensure each member of that group is registered.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Reptiles of Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 8:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Join us for a 3-mile hike on the levees at MTC to view reptiles and other native wildlife of eastern St. Charles County. Learn the identifying characteristics of the native turtles and snakes as we view them through spotting scopes. Meeting details will be provided to registrants the day before the program.

Conservation Families: Storybook Saturday: While You’re Asleep
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Join us for a Saturday morning storybook reading all about nocturnal animals! For this program, we will be reading, “While You’re Asleep” by Emmy Kastner. Finish up this fun morning with opportunities to touch pelts of those nocturnal critters we hear about in the story and make a quick craft to remember your program. This program is most appropriate for ages 4-7, but all are welcome.

Conservation Families: Conservation Matinee: In Echo – White Nose & Bats
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11:00 – 11:45 am
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Years after a malicious fungus causing a deadly “White Nose Syndrome” killed millions of bats across North America, a few determined individuals fight for the survival of the remaining bats teetering on the brink of extinction. After the film is over, stop by the back table to learn more about White Nose in Missouri and learn how you can help.

Nature Art: Needle Felt: Box Turtles
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office
Discover the art of needle felting while creating an adorable box turtle sculpture from wool fibers. Guided by step-by-step instructions, participates will add featuring details based on the adaptions of our state reptile, the three toe box turtle.

Wild Edibles: Seed Savvy
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: August A Busch Conservation Area
This program is part of our year-long Wild Edible Plants series, with each month highlighting a different plant part or type of wild edible. The series emphasizes conservation, respectful harvesting, and building a meaningful connection to the land. Participants will build confidence in understanding when, where, and how wild plants can be used as a sustainable food source. In this program, we’ll focus on native seeds and grains. You’ve probably heard of lotus pods, samaras, and sunflower seeds, but what about sump weed and may grass? These wild plants provided a bounty of food for the indigenous people of Missouri in the past, and they can for us today as well! This program will feature an indoor presentation and a sample recipe tasting.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Live Animal Encounter
Registration Required
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Location: August A Busch Conservation Area
Join us for a meet and greet with some of our resident live animals and even see some eat their lunch! We will meet in the exhibit area at August A. Busch Conservation Area to discuss what makes these critters so cool, and the important jobs that they have. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Nature Art: Blooms and Bugs Beginners’ Cross-Stitch
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Location: August A Busch Conservation Area
Come relax for an evening while making a beautiful artwork to decorate your home. In this introductory class, you will learn to cross-stitch and choose a pattern of a flower or garden insect to follow. Perfect for nature-lovers and anyone looking to make friends while learning a new skill. All supplies will be provided. Please register EACH person who will be present to ensure we have enough supplies.

Special Event: Peanut’s Birthday Bash
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center World Famous Peanut the Turtle is turning 42 this year! Come to Powder Valley to help her celebrate this special day. The Nature Center lobby will be turning into a birthday party fit for a turtle! We will have crafts, coloring, litter pledges, and more! Be sure to come say “Happy Birthday” to the world’s coolest turtle! Registration for this event is greatly appreciated.

Insects: Monarch Caterpillar Bracelets
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office
Did you know that monarch butterflies are magnificent migrators and can travel up to 3,000 miles each fall? Join us to learn about monarch migration and what you can do to help monarch butterflies. We’ll even make our own monarch caterpillar bracelets to help remind us of these impressive insects even after they’ve headed south for the winter! Please register each participant individually.

Nature Art: Nature Crafternoon
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office
Beat the heat by spending the afternoon indoors flexing your creative muscles and making nature crafts! This program is for artists of all ages, and there will be a variety of crafts to choose from.
Please register each participant individually.

Hiking: Full Moon Rise Hike at the Confluence
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 7:30 – 9:00 pm (Sunset: 7:35pm & Moonrise: 8:14pm) Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
Watch the sun setting over the fields and prairies of Columbia Bottom. Listen for the sounds of owls and other wildlife as we walk on the trail to the confluence. Watch the Full Sturgeon Moon as it casts its light over the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Walk back to the parking lot by the silvery light of the full moon. Meet at lot L, about 4 miles from the Columbia Bottom front entrance gate. Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, insect repellent, and a walking stick if you have one.

___________________________________________________________________________

FISHING & HUNTING

Fishing Programs

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 & 2 – classes are offered frequently

Lesson 1 will go over how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish. Lesson 2 covers intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks. This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park – Rearing Pond at North End of Park

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Hatchery

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park – Rearing Pond at North End of Park

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Lake 2 – August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Hatchery

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Suson Park – Rearing Pond

Fishing Lessons 3 & 4: Intro to Pond Life and Fishing with Lures

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 & 2 is required before attending this program* Lesson 3: Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species. Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures techniques, as well as identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult. All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lessons 3 & 4: Intro to Pond Life & Fishing with Lures
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Hatchery

Discover Nature – Fishing Lessons 3 & 4: Intro to Pond Life & Fishing with Lures
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Please meet at the Suson Park Rearing Pond at the north end of the park.

Learn to Fish 
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Location: Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area
Come join us to learn fishing basics and practice fishing at Sunfish Lake! Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish. Fishing equipment and bait will be provided for the hands-on portion of this program; however, participants are welcome to bring their own fishing rods and lures if desired.

Learn to Fish: Young Adult Fishing
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 -11:00 am
Location: Forest Park Hatchery
Join the Missouri Department of Conservation in an adults-only fishing lesson at the Forest Park Hatchery. Perhaps you grew up fishing, or perhaps you’ve always wanted to try. It’s never too late to reconnect with childhood hobbies or find a new pastime! Following a brief lesson on fishing basics, participants will be able to test their skills to catch-and-release a variety of Missouri native fish. All fishing gear and bait will be provided, though participants are encouraged to bring a camping chair and refreshments. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities.

Learn to Fish: Know Your Fishing Knots
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026, 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Fishing knots are a key factor to any angler’s success. In this hands-on program, you will learn how to tie the knots that professional anglers rely on every day. Whether you are brand new to fishing or just want to sharpen your skills, this lesson is for you. By the time you walk out the door, you will find your new favorite fishing knot.

Hunting & Shooting Skills

Rifle: MSR- Modern Sporting Rifle
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
The Basics of the Modern Sporting Rifle
course is designed to provide beginners a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to modern sporting rifle shooting. This course includes classroom and range time. Students will learn rules for safe gun handling at home, in the field and on the range; rifle actions, parts and operation, ammunition, shooting fundamentals, cleaning the rifle, and continued opportunities for developing rifle skills. Students are encouraged to bring your own modern sporting rifle, and we can supply the ammo.

Shotgun: Women’s Beginning Trapshooting
Date: Monday, July 27, 2026, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
Join us to discover the joys of trapshooting. We will discuss the basic safety rules and basic fundamentals of shoot trap. We will provide shotguns and ammunition for those who do not have one. If you plan to use your own, bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new ammunition for your firearm. Make sure all firearms are unloaded before arriving at the range. There should be no live ammunition, or uncased firearms inside the classroom.

Archery:
Friday, July 31, 9 – 11 am (ages 9 and up): Events | Missouri Department of Conservation
Friday, July 31, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm: (ages 18 and up): Events | Missouri Department of Conservation
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Archery is a lifetime sport that can be enjoyed while taking in the great outdoors. This program will introduce the fundamentals for safely and successfully shooting a compound bow and will include lots of hands-on practice. NOTE: The equipment that is used is designed for ages 9 and up to be able to safely handle, nock and arrow, and shoot the bow. Participants aged 9 – 15 must be accompanied by an adult. No children under the age of 9 will be permitted on the archery range.

Hunting Classes – August 2026

Deer Hunting: Bowhunter Bootcamp Night
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
Are you looking to take up bowhunting this fall but are unsure of where or what to begin with? Join our staff for this new program where we will put you through “Bowhunter Bootcamp”. This is a series of programs spanning three weeks; however, participants are welcome to sign up for any of the offerings that they choose. Topics covered will include basic archery equipment and accessories, ground blind and tree stand safety, scouting, and shooting fundamentals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment (bows and arrows) that they plan on hunting with to become more familiar with it.

Archery: Beginning Archery:
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 – 12:00 pm
Location: August A Busch Shooting Range

Archery: Fundamentals
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 10:00 – 11:30 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation