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.

Arbor Days in April

Plant native trees and practice proper tree care. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to celebrate the value of Missouri trees and forests during Arbor Days in April by planting native trees and practicing proper tree care. Missouri Arbor Day is Friday, April 3. Missouri has been observing the state’s official Arbor Day on the first Friday in April for 140 years — since 1886 — when the General Assembly declared the day be set aside for the appreciation and planting of trees. National Arbor Day is recognized on the last Friday of April, which is April 24. Get information on backyard tree care – including types of trees for urban and other landscapes, selecting the right tree for the right place, planting tips, watering and pruning info, and more at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-care.

Communities around the state also hold local Arbor Day activities. For more information on Arbor Day and Missouri’s Tree City USA communities, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at www.arborday.org. Missouri forests cover about one-third of the state and provide outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and watersheds for stream and rivers.  Spending time in Missouri forests can provide a natural health benefit, too. Exposure to nature contributes to physical well-being, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, relieves stress, and boosts energy. Get more information at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/forest-care.

Nature Programs

Snake Encounter

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11:00 AM-11:30AM
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 11:00 AM-11:30AM
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.

Virtual- Strange but True: Earth Day Edition

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:00 PM-1:00PM
Location: MDC Virtual Nature Center
Nature can be a weird, wild world and sometimes just plain strange. While the plants and wildlife in Missouri are remarkable and diverse, some facts are just as shocking as an American eel in Missouri waters! Do you know all the unusual, unique, and unbelievable stuff that goes on in nature? Join us over lunchtime and challenge what you know in this fun presentation.

Nature at Night: Light and Life Under the Stars

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7:00 PM-8:30PM
Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Nature at Night: Exploring Light and Life Under the Stars looks at the beauty of night through photography, a dash of science, and a few personal thoughts that celebrate the importance of night in nature. We’ll touch on bird migrations, nocturnal pollinators, fireflies, and some other fascinating facts about what goes on after the sun goes down.

Intro to Birding

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 10:00 AM-11:30AM
Location: Scenic Regional Library – Union Branch
Join us for a beginner bird ID program and discover the various feathered visitors you’re likely to encounter in the state of Missouri. This program reviews 30+ common Missouri birds, their physical characteristics, and what foods they’re attracted to. Also, tips will be provided on how to create a bird-friendly environment to attract birds to your backyard.

Sustainability Day

Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM-1:00PM
Location: Rockwoods Reservation
Celebrate Earth Day with us here at Rockwoods by learning all about sustainability. From 10am-12pm we will have a series of crafts and activities to explore, including a children’s clothing swap. From 12-1pm you can enjoy a picnic lunch in our pavilion while watching a presentation on how to get started with composting.

Outdoor Skills

Spring Floral Jellies

Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA
Spring blossoms can be used to make delicious syrups and jellies. In this program, we will learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare jellies from dandelions, redbuds, and blue violets. This class will take participants through the entire process of jelly making, from harvesting, to steeping the flowers, to cooking and canning the jelly. At the end of the class, each participant will get to take home a small jar of homemade jelly. Please register each participant separately.

Amphibian Night Hike

Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:00 PM-10:00PM
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Witness a “marsh concert” presented by the toads and frogs of Missouri. Join us for an evening out on the levees at the Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area. We will learn how to identify toads and frogs by their calls.

Paper Making

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:30 AM-1:00PM
Location: Rockwoods Reservation
Did you know you can make paper with plants, leaves, fibers, and the contents of your recycling bin? It is a wonderful craft that is both sustainable and uses natural resources in a unique way. Come to Rockwoods for this hands-on papermaking class where we will go over the basics of making paper out of different materials.

Backpacking Basics

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 12:30 PM-1:30PM
Location: Scenic Regional Library – Union Branch
Join us for tips on how and what to pack for your next hiking adventure. Learn features to look for in a backpack, and fun places to explore in Missouri.

Geocaching

Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM-12:00PM
Location: Carondelet Park
Geocaching can be a great way to explore the outdoors and feel like you’re a part of a modern-day treasure hunt! Join us at Carondelet Park to learn the basics of geocaching and how to use a GPS unit. Then set off on your own nature treasure hunt around the west end of the park. Who knows what you’ll discover along the way!

Amphibian Night Hike

Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 7:00 PM-9:00PM
Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Witness a “marsh concert” presented by the toads and frogs of Missouri. 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.

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FISHING & HUNTING

Fishing Programs

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 & 2 (combined) – classes are being planned for Spring 2026

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.