Hands-on education opportunities
Missourians of all ages, abilities and interests can learn more about conservation through the Department’s many hands-on education programs. Offered throughout the state, these programs cover nature- and conservation-related topics, including forests, native plants, endangered species, natural history, stream health and water quality, hunting, litter prevention and clean-up and trail adoption.
- Conservation Frontiers
- The Conservation Frontiers program teaches students to enjoy and protect forests, fish and wildlife. Participants in the program advance through several levels by completing activities and earning points, which lead to awards. Home school educators and youth groups, as well as classrooms, can easily incorporate this program into coursework and meeting activities. The program guide lists activities that participants can do. Within the program guide, references are listed that can help you and your students with the activities.
- Conservation Honors
- Thirty-two high school juniors and teacher chaperons investigate the great outdoors through the Conservation Honors Program each year. Participants work with university and conservation staff to investigate fish, forests and wildlife. In addition to classroom instruction, individuals participate in field trips and outdoor recreation activities. The brochure spells out program guidelines. Print out and complete the application form if you or your students are interested in participating.
- Quail Academy
- Quail Academy allows students to work alongside university and conservation staff investigating quail management, experience a variety of conservation practices and instruction, and participate in field trips and outdoor recreation. The brochure provides more details about the program. Interested students and teacher chaperones should complete their respective application.
- Quail Academy is sponsored by Quail Unlimited with support from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Central Missouri. For more information, visit Quail Unlimited’s website.
Visit your local nature center, shooting range and outdoor education center or hatchery
Department nature centers, shooting range and outdoor education centers and hatcheries around the state offer events, exhibits and programs to help you learn more and do more in outdoor Missouri.
Browse by Subject
- Classroom resources
- Resources to help teach conservation in the classroom
- Youth group resources
- Resources to help teach conservation to a youth group
- Outdoor skills
- Learn how to hunt, fish and a variety of other skills
- Grants and training
- Find what grants and training are offered by MDC
- Adult education
- Section dedicated for adult learning
- Hunter education
- Find out about MDC's hunter education courses
- Forestry educational resources
- Find resources on programs that help teach about forests
- Aquatic resource education
- A variety of educational tools for aquatic life and the water its found in
