Blog Archives

Photo by David Bruns and courtesy the MDC.

October is that spooky time of the year! What better time to attend a special presentation on spiders? Especially when there could be ten thousand of them lurking in your local field.

Visitors will discover the secret world of these arachnid hunters, with a chance for close encounters during this free nighttime presentation on Friday, Oct. 18 from 7-9 p.m.

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Photo courtesy MDC.

Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the name of that bug?”  “What species of tree is that?”  “Is that a brown-eyed or black-eyed Susan?”  The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center has an event that will introduce visitors to a powerful nature discovery tool you may already have in your hand.

Join Powder Valley for the iNaturalist Family Festival Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and learn about a free mobile app that can unlock an incredible body of nature knowledge for you.  The free iNaturalist app can identify plants and animals around you using your smartphone’s camera, internet connection, and a comprehensive, world-wide base of expert knowledge.  It also enables users to contribute valuable citizen science to its expanding database for themselves.  MDC staff will conduct training sessions on using this potent app during the event.

There’s still plenty to do even if you don’t have a smartphone because this free family festival will also feature many non-electronic ways to connect with nature.

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Photo courtesy the MDC.

You may already know a veterinarian who treats dogs, cats, or perhaps parakeets. But what about one who works with deer or elk, or even bears and mountain lions? How about great prehistoric fish like sturgeon and paddlefish? What’s a day like for that kind of veterinarian? What does it take to become one? What are the rewards and challenges they face?

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is welcoming MDC’s State Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr. Sherri Russell Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. to share a special inside look at her job.

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ZOOTOBERFEST at the Saint Louis Zoo October 5-6 and 12-13!!

Enjoy a Zoo-themed, family-friendly Oktoberfest at the Zoo, including fall-related kids’ games and crafts; live music; German specialty food for purchase; and German bars serving a variety of beers (ages 21 and older), root beer and other soft drinks. An exclusive Zootoberfest beer stein with discounts for refills will be available for purchase (while supplies last).

See more information and schedule below.

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Support the outdoors with “Explore The Outdoors: St. Louis” presented by Conservation Federation Missouri.

Where: Quail Ridge Lodge  24 Columbine Lane, Wentzville, MO 63385

When: Thursday, October 3, 2019, 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Pricing: Youth: $20; Individual: $60; Couple: $100; Table (8 individuals): $400

Meal: Rib Dinner

Beverages: Open bar compliments of St. James Winery and Public House Brewing

Keynote Speaker: CEO Susan Trautman- Great Rivers Greenway

Activities: Silent and Live Auctions, Yard Games, live music tentative

Contact Elizabeth Peoples at 573-634-2322 ext 108 for information and sponsorship opportunities. To purchase tickets online CLICK HERE.

Above: Venison steak skewers. Photo courtesy MDC.

Venison: Freezer to Fork is a class being offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at East Central College on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Deer hunters go through many steps to prepare for a hunt, from checking tree stands, to sighting in firearms, to reviewing trail cam footage, to picking their favorite scent blocker. But what about preparing to enjoy the harvest when the hunt is over? What can you do with the bounty of nutritious meat after it’s processed?

The MDC is partnering with East Central College to help put you on the path from freezer to the fork by presenting a Venison: Freezer to Fork class. The course will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at East Central College in Union. Participants will discover extraordinary meals they can create with the venison they harvest.

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