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.
Click to learn more about these seasonal topics:
Spiders ~ Eagles ~ Bears ~ Fishing & Hunting ~ Birding
Groundhogs ~ Maple Sugaring ~ Vultures
Morel Mushrooms ~Spring Trees ~ Stream Teams
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.
Nature Programs
Poisonous and Venomous Things Discovery Table
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:00 AM-1:00PM
Location: Forest Park Visitor Center
Registration: Registration Not Required.
Come and learn about “Poisonous and Venomous Things” found in the State of Missouri. We will have information on snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms, and everybody’s favorite, poison ivy. With the warmer months during the spring, summer and fall approaching, learn more about the plants and animals you might encounter when you are enjoying outdoor activities.
Needle Felting: Frogs
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 2:00 PM-4:00PM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Register Here!
Spring is the time to try new things! Join a naturalist for a beginner-friendly guided needle-felting class! Needle-felting is an art form involving the shaping of wool fibers to create 3D figures. You will be creating a needle-felted frog while learning about Missouri’s frogs.
Snake Encounter
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 11:00 AM-11:30AM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Registration Not Required.
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!
Katie Dancer – A Flute Journey Experience
Date/Time: Friday, April 25, 2025, 7:00 PM-9:00PM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Register Here!
Flute Journey by Katie Dancer is a multimedia concert that combines solo flute music with stories and footage of her outdoor adventures. Through each piece of music and personal narrative, the audience is invited to experience Kate’s time in nature and draw inspiration for their own journey in the outdoors.
Missouri Native Tree Identification (Virtual)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 8:30 AM-10:00AM
Location: Virtual
Registration: Register Here!
Want to learn how to Identify Missouri’s Native Trees? This is the program for you.
Snake Encounter
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 11:00 AM-11:30PM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Registration Not Required.
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.
Outdoor Skills
Hiking- Valley View and the Four Seasons: Spring
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:00 AM-12:00PM
Location: Valley View Glades Trailhead
Registration: Register Here!
Join a naturalist on a guided 2.6-mile hike through Valley View Glades Natural Area in Hillsboro, Missouri. Hikes will be held during all four seasons in 2025, and we will discuss the changes happening on this beautiful and diverse trail throughout the year!
Camping 101 with River City Outdoors
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 2:00 PM-4:00PM
Location: Tower Grove Park-New Comfort Station
Registration: Registration Not Required.
Camping is a great way to get out and enjoy nature with friends and family, but sometimes preparing for a first trip can be overwhelming. Join the Missouri Department of Conservation and River City Outdoors to learn the basics of camping and gain the knowledge and confidence to head out on your first camping adventure!
Amphibian Night Hike
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 7:00 PM-9:30PM
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Registration: Register Here!
Join us for an evening out on the levees at the Marias Temps Clair Conservation Area. We will learn how to identify toads and frogs by their calls
Find Your Wild: Earth Day Hike & Nature Immersion
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 1:00 PM-2:30PM
Location: Emmenegger Nature Park
Registration: Register Here!
Celebrate Earth Day by reconnecting with nature. Join an MDC naturalist for a hike at Emmenegger Nature Park and enjoy a walk through the woods. While on this hike, learn about the benefits of being in nature and practice hands-on nature immersion techniques.
Hike 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 12:30 PM-3:00PM
Location: Rockwoods Reservation
Registration: Register Here!
First timers, beginning hikers or those who want to brush up on their skills, come learn about the benefits (health status) of hiking as well as the basics of hiking. Program will include topics on clothing, equipment, hiking with children and pets, etiquette and suggestions on places to hike.
Ephemeral Walk at Fort Belle Fontaine
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:00 AM-11:30AM
Location: Fort Belle Fontaine County Park
Registration: Register Here!
Experience the wonders of Fort Belle Fontaine County Park as we hike through a variety of habitats searching for sights and sounds of spring. Walk the trail past the upland prairie and head down to the Missouri River.
Tarp Tents and Hammocks
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:00 AM-10:30AM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Register Here!
You don’t need a tent to enjoy sleeping outside. Come learn new ways to set up a campsite in untraditional ways. Ditch those heavy tents and pesky poles and find your new favorite way to camp!
Hike LaBarque Creek Conservation Area
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 AM-2:00PM
Location: LaBarque Creek Conservation Area
Registration: Register Here!
Join us for a 3-mile hike through the forests and glades of LaBarque Creek Conservation Area. Take a scenic break with a relaxing lunch near the midway point and test your bird and plant ID skills while exploring the winding paths of this beautiful area.
Outdoor Preparedness: Fire Building
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11:30 AM-12:30PM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Registration: Register Here!
Learning how to make a good campfire is an essential skill for all outdoor minded people. In this hands-on lesson, we will cover a variety of ways to build and start campfires. Join us and let the sparks fly as we learn how to make the best campfires.
Fishing
Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 1
This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 9:00 AM-11:00AM ~ Register Here!
Location: Forest Park Hatchery
Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot & Bait a Hook
Participants will learn 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.
- Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 6:00 PM-8:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA - Date/Time: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6:00 PM-8:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: Forest Park Hatchery - Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:00 AM-11:00AM ~ Register Here!
Location: Suson Park – Rearing Pond
Discover Nature – Fishing Lessons 3 & 4: Intro to Pond Life and Fishing with Lures
Participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species, various fishing lures techniques and will be able to identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.
- Date/Time: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 6:00 PM-8:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA
Crappie Jig Tying
Spring is a great time to fish for crappie as they move closer to shore to spawn. Join us to learn how to tie your own crappie jigs. This class will focus on tying the classic crappie jig, a lead headed hook with a chenille body and feather tail tied on with thread.
- Date/Time: Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:00 PM-2:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA - Date/Time: Friday, April 25, 2025, 3:00PM-5:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA
Enjoy Trout Season at MDC-Stocked Lakes
MDC was able to stock lakes with trout at the beginning of the season, prior to the flood event.Stocked lakes are located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Union City Lake, and the five select lakes on the August. A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles. These lakes include:
- August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area (Lakes 3, 7, 21, 22, and 23)
- Boathouse Lake – Carondelet Park in St. Louis City
- O’Fallon Park Lake in St. Louis City
- January-Wabash in Ferguson
- Koeneman Park Lake in Jennings
- Suson Park – Carp and Island Lakes in St. Louis County
- Tilles Park Lake in St. Louis County
- Union City Park Lake in Union, Franklin County
- Walker Lake in Kirkwood
- Vlasis Park Lake in Ballwin
Between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, some lakes are catch-and-release only, and some are catch-and-keep. After Feb. 1, trout may be harvested from all lakes. Anglers can find information on specific winter trout lakes statewide at this Link to Trout Lakes in MO, or check regulations posted at the lakes. All trout anglers between age 16 and 64 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit to participate. Anglers wishing to catch and keep trout must also possess a trout permit regardless of age. Stay up to date with stocking information is by calling MDC’s Fish Stocking Hotline at 636-300-9651. Information
Hunting and Shooting Sports
Beginning Atlatl
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:00 PM-7:00PM
Location: August A Busch Shooting Range
Registration: Register Here!
This program will teach the fundamentals of atlatl including equipment, safety, stance, and techniques. This event will take place on the static archery range. All equipment will be provided.
Women’s Basic Handgun
Date/Time: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6:00 PM-8:00PM
Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range
Registration: Register Here!
The Women’s Beginning Handgun program includes handgun fundamentals, operation, safety, maintenance and safe storage
Introduction to Archery
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of archery including safety rules, stance, equipment used, and, of course, how to shoot a bow and arrow. Join us for this fun and very informative class.
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10:00 AM-12:00PM ~ Register Here!
Location: August A Busch Shooting Range - Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 2:00 PM-3:30PM ~ Register Here!
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center - Date/Time: Monday, April 28, 2025, 1:30 PM-3:30PM ~ Register Here!
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Eagles
Eagles of Missouri, 2025
www.mdc.mo.gov/events/eagle-days
Missouri Birding Challenge
The Challenge is for both new and experienced birders. Get prepared through webinars on birds and birding, including how to get started and how to help birds. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the first ever Missouri Birding Challenge — May 1-15. Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on a team in different birding categories based on their ages, birding experience, and comfort levels. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their lists of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. Once participants complete a category, they will be entered into a drawing for fun, bird-related prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. There is a fee of $10-$25 per person or team depending on the category. Fees go toward migratory bird conservation efforts. Learn more about the Challenge and related topics at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/
Get Prepared Through Birding Webinars
MDC and partners invite new and experienced birders to prepare for the Missouri Birding Challenge in May by joining the Missouri Birding Challenge Webinar Series on various birding topics. The webinars will introduce participants to birding and educate them on key issues around birds and bird conservation in Missouri. Register in advance for each webinar and then join the webinar live. Registered attendees will receive a reminder email before the webinar.
Final Workshop: Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds at Home with Dana Ripper of the Missouri River Bird Observatory, Thursday, May 1, 6-7 p.m. Birds are in trouble. Research shows a loss of nearly a third of North American birds over that past 50 years. Don’t lose hope! Learn how to help bird populations at home and how to make a big impact with just seven simple actions. Register in advance at Register Here
BEARS
Black Bears in Missouri and How to Be Bear Aware
It seems black bears are making the news in the St. Louis region each spring as they are beginning to show up more and more in the area. Since bears are becoming a more common part of the Missouri landscape, especially if travelling to the southern parts of the state, it makes sense to learn more about them. Stay safe in bear country, and keep our bears wild. mdc.mo.gov/bearaware
