Events

When was the last time you saw a monarch butterfly fluttering through your flowers? Or a bald eagle swooping down to catch a fish in the Mississippi River? What about a gray bat returning to its place in a cave?

It might have been a while, but you may experience these events more often in the future because all these creatures have something in common. Each is or has been on a list of species protected by the (Federal) Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Wildlife Code of Missouri also helps to protect threatened and endangered species in Missouri.

We will discuss why certain species are in danger of extinction, and how the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is helping to preserve them for future generations.

Bring a sack lunch. Water, coffee, and dessert will be provided. Park in front of the visitor center.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is an ever-changing floodplain which can reveal unexpected beauty and provide a peaceful mood to relax after a long work week. Join us for an evening nature walk to see what plants are blooming and what animals are singing as spring transitions into summer.

A volunteer will meet you at the front gate with directions to the hike location. We plan to go off trail, so dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring a water bottle and a hiking stick if you have one.

Please register each participant individually.

Come to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area and put your basic archery skills to the test! We will learn about archery and archery range safety, how to use a compound bow, and test out our new skills! Following NASP requirements, all participants must be ages 9 and up.

Please note that this program will take place outside, so please dress accordingly, and bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Come to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area and put your basic archery skills to the test! We will learn about archery and archery range safety, how to use a compound bow, and test out our new skills! Following NASP requirements, all participants must be ages 9 and up.

Please note that this program will take place outside, so please dress accordingly, and bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Join us at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Columbia Bottom CA, we will start off our morning with some fishing on the big river, followed by a Bumblebee Survey in our iconic Sunflower field. Then, we’ll cool off indoors in the afternoon with lunch in the classroom and then an Owl Pellet Dissection activity.

Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Refrigeration is available if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toed shoes for fishing are recommended.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the classroom in the main building at Columbia Bottom CA.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Join us at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Columbia Bottom CA, we will start off our morning with some fishing on the big river, followed by a Bumblebee Survey in our iconic Sunflower field. Then, we’ll cool off indoors in the afternoon with lunch in the classroom and then an Owl Pellet Dissection activity.

Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Refrigeration is available if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and closed-toed shoes for fishing are recommended.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the classroom in the main building at Columbia Bottom CA.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA