Events

Walk-in (all ages) Come celebrate Missouri's native plants! Join us for a day of learning about the wide variety of native plants that can suit your landscaping needs. Explore easy ways to plant native seeds of grasses and flowers. Discover how our native trees can add long-lasting value and beauty to your landscape. Marvel at how Missouri's wildlife benefits from native plants. We will be giving away free native plant and tree seedlings for you to take home and plant. Stick around for a guided landscape tour along with opportunities to ask experts for advice on how to improve your landscape with native plants. There will be activities for the whole family! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Mushrooms are a delight for animals and people alike! Explore the realm of the fungi and learn what role they play in our environment, and which may be a good addition to your dinner plate. Foray in the woods of Burr Oak Woods to follow presentation.

Learn the basics of beginner’s archery and practice your skills in a safe and open field with stationary targets. All equipment will be provided.

Please bring a personal water bottle and sunscreen.

Mushrooms and birds are some of the best things about spring! Join Mycological Society and Greater Ozarks Audubon member Dan Liles to explore our trails and identify fungi and birds. This 2-mile hike is rated easy to moderate difficulty. Dress for the weather.

Now that it is warm again bass fishing season is upon us. Learn how to approach spring and summer bass fishing from a former college angler and high school fishing coach.

Carnivore, Herbivore, or Omnivore? Let’s learn all about what, how, and why Missouri mammals are eating! Together we’ll investigate a few awesome animals, looking at their teeth, their habitat and their scat to determine what they might be eating. Afterwards, each participant will be able to make and accessorize their very own slime to take home inspired by one of the animals they learned about.

All materials will be provided, including disposable gloves for slime making. It is recommended to bring an old t-shirt or smock for slime making.

Please register each individual who will be making slime. Parents who will not be making their own slime do not need to register. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Would you like to learn how to cook outdoors using a dutch oven? The program will cover how to get started using a Dutch Oven including equipment and techniques, and you will be able to sample a couple of recipes.

Would you like to learn how to cook outdoors using a dutch oven? This is the program for you! Samples will be provided but not enough for a meal.

Basic Handgun Workshop. Participants will learn handgun parts and operation, ammunition, handgun safety, and shooting fundamentals. Participants will receive one-on-one shooting instruction. This workshop and instruction is offered free of charge. Handguns and ammunition will be provided by MDC. Participants are welcome to bring their own unloaded, cased handguns but will be required to provide their own new factory ammunition (no reloads). This workshop is open to participants 18 and over. Teenagers age 14 to 17 may attend with a parent or guardian who is also registered for the workshop.

Signs of spring can be seen everywhere from birds migrating back to Missouri to blooms on the forest floor. Let’s explore the beauty and uniqueness of ephemeral wildflowers. Join Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center staff to learn how to identify spring wildflowers and which ones you may see in your own backyard. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Register is Required with a valid email address to receive the program link.