Events

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is excited to announce the launch of its 2026 Photo Contest, inviting community members of all ages to capture the beauty of Missouri’s native plants, trees, and wildlife. This contest celebrates the diversity of the natural world found anywhere from our own backyard to a local conservation area, and encourages participants to explore, observe, and appreciate the environment around them.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS AND INFO:

All photos submitted must be taken in or around St. Louis County and should highlight native Missouri species. Participants are asked to follow area regulations, treat nature with care, maintain a respectful distance from wildlife, and avoid harming any plants or habitats while photographing. The contest is open to everyone, and entries will be divided into two categories: Youth (ages 17 and under) and Adult (ages 18 and up). Participants are limited to 1 photo entry.

FAQ:

*How do I enter?

To enter, please submit your photograph to Lauren Baker at Lauren.Baker@mdc.mo.gov by April 30, 2026. Be sure to indicate which category (youth or adult) you are entering in the email, as well as your name and a title for your photograph.

*When does voting begin?

Beginning May 5, all eligible entries will be on public display in the nature center’s art gallery, where visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite photographs in person. Voting will end May 30th at 4:00 p.m. with our winners being announced shortly after.

*How are these photos being printed?

Photographs will be printed on standard 8.5 x 11 printer paper and mounted to foam core board for display.

MDC photographers offer the following tips to help create the best photos:

• Photograph during the early morning, or later into the evening. The light is usually much better during these times than the harsher, midday sun. Soft, cloudy days can also make for some pleasing light.

• Fill the frame with the subject—close-up photos tend to be much more engaging than subjects seen from a distance.

• Consider using a macro or closeup lens. There are amazing details to be discovered in native plants, and a host of tiny and fascinating insects and pollinators.

• Be creative and don’t be afraid to experiment.

Photographers can also consult MDC’s online Field Guide at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9d for more information about native wildlife and their habitats and behaviors.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, this is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity, explore new trails, and connect with nature.

Nature printmaking is the art of creating lifelike images on paper or fabric with found objects from nature. MDC Naturalist Pat Whalen exhibits nature prints from his personal work and programs he presents at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. His prints will be on display in the west wing hallway through June. 

Columbia Missouri Artist Christine Doerr’s art is inspired by a lifetime shaped by nature, travel, and service, from the Ozarks to the Mediterranean. Rooted in the landscapes of Gans Creek, it highlights both beauty and its environmental vulnerability. Her art will be on display in the lobby through June.

After finding painted rocks around Jefferson City, Janet Bonnot joined the JC Rocks movement in 2018. Her nature-inspired rock work is on display in the west wing hallway through June. 

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the nature center’s amphibians, fish, and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (May 13 & 27).

Welcome Summertime with a guided public tour of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery! Join a Naturalist to learn the difference between the Rainbow and Brown Trout raised at the hatchery, then visit the raceways and discover the amazing trout-raising process! And for just a quarter, you can feed the fish, too! Tours will meet at the large trout aquarium inside the Conservation Education Center.

Tours will be held four times daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning May 26th and continuing through Friday, September 4th. (The Hatchery will be closed for state holidays on June 19th and July 4th.)

All ages are invited, and no registration is required. For questions, call us at 417-334-4865 ext. 0, or email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov.

Registration required (ages 0-36 months)

Animals float, flit, soar and more across the sky! Discovering how to engage your little one with nature is a great way to make core memories. We’ll learn about some flying creatures through sound, touch, sight and age appropriate games for little ones cognitive and motor skill development.

Discover Nature – Fishing Lesson 3 & 4 Description:

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

In the Lesson 3 portion, participants will learn about aquatic habitats, food webs, and the basic biology of common Missouri fish species.

In the Lesson 4 portion, participants will learn about various fishing lures and techniques, as well as identify and understand Missouri fishing regulations.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for everyone 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family. You must complete Lesson 1 before any others.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account or add them to an existing family account. You can also make your child their own separate account using your same email, just a different username.

Please meet at Lake 15

Let's get outside for a fun-filled sunny summer evening of outdoor adventure under the sky! Discover how to use an atlatl, test your archery skills, dip your toes into kayaking, and participate in other outdoor activities that will enhance your experiences in nature. Join us for our annual Ladies Night Out at Burr Oak Woods. Wear closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle with you. Walk-in ages 18+

Leave your phone at home and take this chance to relax and reconnect with nature. Time in nature is healing, an opportunity to slow down and focus.

Class may take place outdoors if weather permits. Otherwise, we'll practice indoors with suggestions to further your nature time after class. This program is beginner-friendly and mats are provided; however, you are welcome to bring your own mat and other props. Please wear comfortable clothing and we encourage you to bring your own water bottle.

Participants under 18 need to be accompanied by a participating adult. Please register both people. Only those registered may attend program.

Maggie Salem, Ed.S, MA, PLPC, RYT500 is passionate about passing along knowledge that allows others to lead peaceful, authentic, balanced lives,and she has been doing so by teaching fun and adaptable Yoga to the Cape Girardeau community for the last 5 years. Yoga Asana is a physical tool that prepares us for deep connective practices, therefore bringing us closer to other living beings, to nature, and beyond.