Category Archives: Local Events

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Get Outside This Fall With Help From Agents of Discovery Mobile App

MDC is again partnering with the Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app for its Missouri Explorer Campaign. Through Oct. 31, users can complete challenges at five MDC nature centers to connect with nature and earn special prizes.

The fall season is a great time to explore and learn about Missouri’s outdoors. To help kids and adults discover nature this season, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is again partnering with the Agents of Discovery mobile gaming app for its Missouri Explorer 3.0 Campaign.

Agents of Discovery is an educational gaming app that allows users to engage with nature while completing “Missions”, or games – proving that screen time can be green time.

The Missouri Explorer Campaign will run through Oct. 31. Anyone can join in by downloading the free app and completing the Missions at participating locations. Each Mission is made up of educational challenges that teach players about local history, culture, ecosystems, and safety.

The Campaign includes prizes to reward “Agents”, or players who participate. Once an Agent completes a Mission, they’ll earn a lanyard and a player card. If Agents complete three Missions, they’ll be entered to win raffle tickets to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, the Discovery Center of Springfield, Arabia Steamboat Museum, and St. Louis Botanical Gardens. If they complete six Missions, they’ll fill out their player card and get upgraded to a new lanyard.

Agents can again complete Missions at five MDC nature centers: the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City, Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood, the Springfield Nature Center, and Cape Girardeau Nature Center.

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Posted on September 4, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Missouri Prairie Foundation to Offer Three, Free Guided Hikes in September

Deer Lake Savanna courtesy Forest Park.

Make plans to see the fall splendor of blooming native plants around the state while learning from an expert with a guided hike in September, organized by MPF in partnership with colleagues from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Forest Park.

The hikes are free, but registration is required. See details on each event and registration links below.

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Posted on September 2, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Washington State Park Hosts Sips, Stars and Meteors program, Aug. 11-13

Washington State Park invites guests to a special overnight camping opportunity to view the Perseids meteor shower under a dark sky Friday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 12. For this overnight meteor shower viewing, guests will camp out in the park’s Big River Day-Use Area near Shelter No. 2.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Aug. 11, special guest storyteller Flavia Everman will entertain guests around the campfire. This portion of the event is open both to registered overnight guests and the general public. Flavia’s program is brought to Missouri State Parks courtesy of the Missouri Arts Council.

On Aug. 12, multiple activities will be offered throughout the day leading up to the meteor shower viewing that night. Join Washington State Park staff at 4 p.m. for a tour of the petroglyphs, the park’s history carved in stone. Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them, and possible interpretations of what they mean. Enjoy a short stroll on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features.

Then, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., park interpretive staff will present meteor-themed activities. Meanwhile, Edg-Clif Vineyard of Potosi and Fyre Lake Winery of Cadet will provide limited free sampling to adults 21 and older.

Advance registration is required to attend this event and there is a nonrefundable $10 registration fee. Each registration secures a spot for up to six people. To register, CLICK HERE. Or visit icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Search.aspx and search for events at Washington State Park or call the park office at 636-586-5768.

No individual campfires, RVs or generators will be allowed at this tent camping event. The event area’s amenities include pit latrine restrooms, potable water and a group fire pit. There are no flush toilets or electrical services. Check-out is 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13.

Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto. For more information, contact the park at 636-586-5768.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Posted on August 7, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Sunflower’s Are Back at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area Despite Drought

Photo courtesy of the MDC.

Missouri is starting off summer in droughty conditions.  Sunflower fans will be pleased to know that Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) biologists still expect the sunflowers planted at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake to put on a show this year.   MDC staff has continued to plant multiple sunflower plots again this season.

Though the extremely dry conditions can put a lot of stress on plants and wildlife, MDC staff believe we’ll still see a good amount of blooming in the sunflower fields.  If the plants are especially stressed, the flowers may be somewhat smaller than previous years, and they might shift their blooming a little earlier and end a bit sooner.  But there should still be plenty to see for sunflower enthusiasts and photographers.

Showy sunflower fields have been an annual tradition at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.  MDC staff have been planting sunflowers for years as part of their management for mourning doves.  The area is known for dove hunting each September.  The large flowers supply seeds that entice the birds, and their lofty stalks create cover for the hunters who pursue them.  Sunflowers also benefit a wide variety of other birds and pollinators.  They lure plenty of photographers, too.

MDC work crews began planting additional sunflower stands in addition to the regular dove management fields again a few years ago.  These viewing fields are easily spotted from the road and intended to provide convenient access for taking photos.  MDC crews also stagger the timing of the plantings to spread their blooming periods out over a longer period.  Visitors should be able to see sunflowers in bloom somewhere on the area from early July through the middle of August—depending on weather conditions.

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Posted on July 9, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Scouts and outdoors lovers—come to MDC’s Scouting Event and Family Fun Day July 15 in Forest Park

Attention scouts of all stripes.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites you to MDC’s Annual St. Louis Regional Scouting Event and Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Forest Park Fish Hatchery Building.  This is an event for all nature lovers too.

Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, and American Heritage Girls are all welcome.  This scouting event is free and will give scouts the opportunity to work toward several conservation-related merit badges.  But it is also open to any families interested in discovering and learning more about nature and the outdoors.  Affiliation with a scouting program is not required to attend.

MDC staff will guide participants through multiple activities that will help them appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future.  These include:

  • Macroinvertebrates
  • Birding
  • Fishing
  • Knot tying
  • Geocaching
  • A nature scavenger hunt
  • Cordage making
  • Crafts
  • And more

Attendees should note that MDC is providing activities that may be applied towards merit badges but is not authorized to sign off on badges.  It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them.

Scouts and outdoors lovers can learn vital outdoor skills, connect with nature, and flex creative muscles at this fun event.

All activities will be outside, so attendees should dress according to the weather. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes.  In case of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled for this fall.

St. Louis Regional Scouting Event and Family Fun Day is a free event, but registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4P3.  Please individually register everyone who will be attending.

The Forest Park Hatchery is located on Grand Drive just south of Lindell Blvd., in the northeast corner of Forest Park.

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.

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Posted on June 25, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Saint Louis Zoo Unveils Plans for the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery

Tasmanian devils and babydoll sheep are ambassadors for shrinking forest habitat and how human activity interacts with the sustainability of wild animal populations. The immersive Tasmanian devil exhibit, one of only three devil exhibits in the U.S., features a climb-through tree trunk with a wildlife underpass, allowing the devils to reach both sides of the habitat. This area offers guests a great opportunity to learn about wild animals living in communities with people. Artist renderings courtesy Saint Louis Zoo.

The new experience for children and families will have animal adventures at every turn. The target public opening is planned for 2026.

The Saint Louis Zoo recently shared plans for the new experience for children and families on site of the current Emerson Dinoroarus, formerly Emerson Children’s Zoo.

“Thanks to an incredibly generous $15 million lead gift from the Henry A. Jubel Foundation, we are able to carry forward the goal of the previous Children’s Zoo by providing dynamic experiences for children and families that will inspire a love of animals and learning, but in new and innovative ways,” said Dwight Scott, Dana Brown President & CEO, Saint Louis Zoo. “Destination Discovery will have animal adventures at every turn. You will be able to explore and play side by side with animals, building connections to the natural world.”

Development of the 2.8-acre Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery is estimated to cost $40 million with funding coming from a variety of sources, including philanthropy. With a target public opening slated for 2026, construction will begin in 2024. The temporary exhibit Dinoroarus will close Nov. 5, 2023.
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Posted on May 31, 2023 in Environment, Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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Forest ReLeaf of Missouri: Concert in the Trees!

You are cordially invited to our seventh annual Concert in the Trees! Join Forest ReLeaf of Missouri from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery (2194 Creve Coeur Mill Road, South Maryland Heights, MO, 63146).

Your ticket includes a 90-minute performance by the internationally acclaimed duo Rogers and Nienhaus, a tour of Forest ReLeaf’s nursery and arboretum, and a sneak peek at our new Nursery Pavilion – plus delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres along with wine, beer, and other refreshments.

Come mingle with other folks dedicated to a healthy and equitable tree canopy, and meet some of the influential leaders who have helped us along the way.

We look forward to seeing you on June 1!

Ticket Information, HERE.

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Posted on May 29, 2023 in Local Events

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Musical Artist John Nilsen Returns to Powder Valley Nature Center On May 5

Pictured: musical artist John Nilsen. Photo: MDC

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will once again welcome popular northwest musical artist John Nilsen to a live performance, The Magic of Music with John Nilsen, at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Nilsen’s stop at Powder Valley is part of a statewide tour, including performances at multiple MDC nature centers.

For this multi-media engagement, Nilsen will compliment his nature-inspired music with the spectacular nature and wildlife images of award-winning MDC Photographer Noppadol Paothong.  Paothong’s photography can be seen regularly in MDC’s Missouri Conservationist magazine, as well as many other MDC publications.

Paothong’s stunning photography will be displayed on Powder Valley’s giant video screen, accompanied by Nilsen’s live performance in the nature center’s auditorium.

Nilsen is a noted pianist and acoustic musician who comes from Portland, Oregon.  As a sought-after entertainer throughout the U.S., Nilsen has performed in all 50 states and on four continents.  A Yamaha signature artist, Nilsen travels internationally playing over 225 performances a year.

Reservations required – see more below.

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Posted on April 14, 2023 in Home, Local Events

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Discover the Outdoors at WOW St. Louis Outdoor Skills Day In Forest Park, April 29

Photo: MDC

Are you looking for a safe and easy way for you and your family to discover outdoor adventures? The WOW St. Louis Outdoor Skills Day event is for you.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is joining a host of conservation partner organizations to bring WOW back for 2023.  The full day program is designed to give newcomers and first-time campers a chance to explore fishing, canoeing, archery, and more.

WOW is happening Saturday, April 29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in Forest Park.  It’s intended as a comprehensive educational program that allows participants to select from a variety of courses and workshops.  The cost to attend WOW is $10 per person, making it an affordable day of family fun.  Registration fee includes equipment for all activities and lunch is provided.

WOW offers classes in a variety of outdoor activities, each one with the goal of teaching participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. Classes are open to anyone age 9 and up, however some classes have a safety age restriction of 11 and up. Littles WOW day camp is available for participants ages 5-8.

See registration information below.

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Posted on April 1, 2023 in Home, Local Events, Outdoor/Nature

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SEED St. Louis: Spring Plant Sales

Save the Dates!

Saturday, April 1, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Six-packs of spring seedlings will be available as well as Seed St. Louis seed packets, t-shirts, and stickers. We will have two varieties of lettuce, bok choy, collards, kale, green and red cabbage, a variety pack of broccoli with staggered harvests, cauliflower, and kohlrabi.

Saturday, May 13, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Summer veggie, perennial seedlings, and sweet potato slips will be available as well as Seed St. Louis seed packets, t-shirts, and stickers. We will have tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplant, basil, parsley, and tomatillos.

Location: Seed St. Louis Carriage House, 3815 Bell Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108

Free street parking is available along Bell Avenue. The sales will be located outside behind the Carriage House building. We will accept both cash and credit for payment.

Find more information about what will be offered at each sale HERE.

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Posted on March 22, 2023 in Local Events