Events

Do your little ones enjoy being in nature? Appreciate the natural world through a story, songs, movement, and play as you sit under the canopy for a “nature” adventure. Come see the topic we are exploring this month. Younger children and siblings are welcome. Meet the naturalist at the West End Picnic Site. Please dress for the weather. (TGP- Rebecca)

Join us virtually to learn about biomimicry! Biomimicry is all around us, from the way we clasp our shoes to how our coats keep us warm in the winter. Humans take inspiration from nature to make technology and designs more effective. We’ll explore biomimicry throughout history and how scientists today are still studying nature’s remarkable features to create new and efficient designs for the future.

A Webex link for the program will be emailed to all registrants the day before the program, as well as the morning of the program. Make sure you’re registered to receive the Webex link.

Missouri is home to a few venomous and poisonous organisms. These organisms are often mistaken for harmless ones. Log on to learn more about these species.

This is a virtual program. A Webex link will be sent to registered participants.

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

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

Lesson 4: Participants will learn about various fishing lures 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 Children and Families of all ages! 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.

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

Join us at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center 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! Join Powder Valley staff for a day of cooking and climbing. Enjoy an exciting excursion in the trees as you practice tree climbing. Practice your outdoor cooking skills by preparing your own foil packet lunch and making delicious deserts with a Dutch oven. Embrace the adventurous camp spirit and try several wild edible recipes to accompany your lunch.

Make sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray! Don't forget to bring water and wear close toed shoes suitable for rigorous activity. Meet the naturalists at the frog statue in front of the nature center.

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

Walk to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the late evening on one of the longest days of the year. After spending a few minutes at the confluence, return to lot "L" to watch the sunset. The songs of dickcissels and meadowlarks will accompany the sun as it sets over the fields and prairies. The full Strawberry Moon will light the sky as we leave Columbia Bottom.

Meet at lot "L", about 4 miles from the front entrance.

Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle and insect repellent.

Sunset: 8:28 pm

Moonrise: 8:47 pm

Families who have never had experience shooting .22 rifles are invited to participate in an instructor led, live fire session learning safety and the proper techniques of shooting .22 rim fire rifles. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided

Join us at Rockwoods Reservation 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 Rockwoods Reservation, test your skills by learning archery. Learn to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat and make your own cool treat inspired by nature. Cool off during the Stream Exploration, using nets to search for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Sunscreen, bug spray, and boots are recommended for the stream.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the Pavilion at Rockwoods Reservation.

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

Hoo hoo hoo's that hooting in the woods? Come learn about the many different owls that call Missouri home. After a short educational talk, experience a walk in the woods at night as we attempt to speak with some of our local chatty Barred owls. The walk will take place on the Broken Ridge trail, which is approximately 2/3 mile long. Be prepared for inclines and declines. Bug spray is highly recommended. Make sure to bring good walking shoes and a flashlight.

Please note REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! If you are registering a group of people, please register each individual (including children). If you are unsure of how to register multiple people, please email the program instructor for assistance.

Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who calls Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the Nature Center. After the snake encounter, spend time enjoying the rest of the exhibits! An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the Nature Center lobby.