Events

Reservations began Friday, May 26

Join Missouri Department of Conservation as we present an afternoon of nature and art! Our urban habitats feature many great natural inspirations for artists on all levels. Learn about fireflies in St. Louis, then create a piece of inspiration to take home. Grab a friend or two, your older child/ren, or make it a date. No experience needed and we’ll provide all the materials necessary. We will be learning about owls and then creating a painting of one. Please register each person.

This 1.5-hour beginner-friendly class will begin at the Picnic Pavilion on Riverlands Way in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This program is made possible by an education cooperative agreement between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mississippi River Water Trail Association. Staff will discuss water safety guidelines and review the basics to kayaking on Ellis Bay. Participants and guides will then launch their boats and set off to paddle around Ellis Bay. Kayaks, paddles and USCG life jackets provided for all. Participants must be 12 years of age and up. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please see the important information below:

* Since this is an official American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctioned event, all participants are required to complete a smart waiver that will be sent out after registration. If the waiver is not completed the participant will not be able to participate.

*Weight Limits:

Our boats are typically limited to 300 lbs. Please contact board@mississippiriverwatertrail.org if you weigh 250 lbs or above, so that we can accommodate with the appropriate kayak.

* Participants will meet at the Picnic Pavilion on Riverlands Way (approximately 1 mile down the road/past the Audubon Center at Riverlands building).

We will be going on a bug hunt through the garden, grasses, and woods. Will we find any cicada shells as well as other insects? Who will catch the first grasshopper? Dress for the weather and wear insect repellant. Stay afterwards to enjoy stories by the librarian.

We will be going on a bug hunt through the garden, grasses, and woods. Will we find any cicada shells as well as other insects? Who will catch the first grasshopper? Dress for the weather and wear insect repellant. Arrive early at 9:30 a.m. to enjoy stories by the librarian.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

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.

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

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

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 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

Join our instructors as we learn the fundamentals of shooting archery. This program begins in the Education Center then moves to the static archery range. This is a fun program for the entire family, ages 9 and up

*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.

Come on over to Rockwoods Reservation for afternoon of Spelunking! We will begin this program in the classroom at the Rockwoods Education Center, where we will learn more about caves in Missouri, what kind of critters we might find in them, and why our cave ecosystems are so special! After about 45 minutes in the classroom, we will gear up in our helmets and knee pads and head to Bathtub Cave to do some exploring.

**Note: You will have to crawl into the entrance and crawl in the cave. The very beginning of this cave is roughly 1 foot tall.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and for 55-degree temperatures. Please wear pants and a long sleeve shirt that you do not mind getting dirty. An extra change of clothes, water, and a snack is recommended.

Helmets and one flashlight will be provided. Please wear rubber boots as well and bring 2 additional sources of light (such as headlamps or flashlights).

If large clusters of bats are encountered, the field trip portion will be cut short. Program will be canceled in inclement weather and rescheduled at a different date.

Please register each person who attends to go into the cave individually. Others are welcome to tag along for the classroom portion only.

Registration will open May 15th.

***Only the age range (7 and up) will be allowed in the cave.***