Events

Drop by any time at this free event to purchase native plants for your landscaping needs. Vendors will offer hardy plants native to Missouri and will provide information about the benefits of planting native species. Or pre-order the native plants for your landscaping needs and they will be available for you to pick up. Please check with the MO Wildflower Nursery and Ozark Soul to see what is available and pre-purchase your native plants.

Immerse yourself in the Tastes and Sights of Spring at Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie. Bo Brown, author of Foraging the Ozarks and Foraging Central Grasslands, will share how native prairie and grassland plants were traditionally used to provide sustainable food sources. Bo will answer all your prairie foraging questions and have a short book signing. In addition, MDC biologists will be available to discuss ways to create wildlife friendly plantings on your property, using many of the edible natives we are discussing.

Come prepared to spend the day outdoors. Bring along a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and appropriate footwear. A camp chair or blanket to sit on is a must.

Additional topics throughout the day will include, prairie and grassland birds, ecology, plant identification, and seasonal phenology changes.

Bring your little ones for a stroll to experience the sights and smells of nature on our trails. Please bring a sturdy stroller for our rugged trails, a baby carrier, or a toddler who likes to walk! Ages 0 to 2.

What’s scaly? Some people think are scary? Can quickly scurry? Snakes! Most snakes in Missouri are harmless and play an important role in our ecosystems. Join us to learn more about these often-misunderstood reptiles and see live snakes during this webinar.

This virtual program is part two of a multi part series on primitive skills and bushcraft. In part two, "Atlatl: in Missouri’s hunting history and present” we will discuss this fascinating hunting technique, where they come from, how to build one, modern usage, and more. Start time will be 12:05 PM using the Webex platform and all registered participants will receive a link with the log in information 24 hours prior to the event.

Nighttime can be noisy this time of year! Join us for Little Acorns to learn all about the critters of the night and the noises they make. You will also make a craft to take home with you.

See live snakes at the Shoal Creek Center. Most snakes in Missouri are harmless and play an important role in our ecosystems. Join us to learn more about these often-misunderstood reptiles and see snakes in person.

Join us at the Nature Center as we celebrate National Trails Day! Stop by the front desk to pick up a question sheet, then take a self-guided hike along our scenic trails and play trivia along the way. All ages.

Join us for a virtual journey through the skies as we explore Missouri’s birds of prey. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.

Hunting may not only be a family tradition, but a personal privilege that everyone can enjoy. Hunting is basic to our nature. Hunting allows us to help control wildlife populations and fun projects for wildlife management. Hunting is also a safe and natural way to help each of us reconnect with nature and our surroundings. In this class, we will cover all the reasons to hunt, why its important, and explore myths about hunting.