Events

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/get-involved (ages 15+) Experience how native gardens change and learn seasonal maintenance required for success. Feel empowered, enjoy camaraderie and learn skills alongside native gardening experts and enthusiasts! All experience levels are welcome. The Deep Roots Demonstration Garden features Midwest native plants suitable for the home garden. Contact cydney@deeprootskc.org for more information.

It is finally springtime, and the birds are out and about finding food plus we are in the heart of spring migration. Join us, along with some Burroughs Audobon experts on a hike to see the birds in action. We will meet at the front door to the nature center. We will then proceed to the trail for a hike to bird. We will keep our eyes out for spring wildflowers as well. Beginners and all experience levels welcome. Dress for the weather & bring your own binoculars, snacks, and drinks. Folks can leave anytime, if they have had enough.

MDC will provide a staffed archery range and equipment for youth and families to experience the joy of archery during the Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Hatchery & Park. No registration required.

Join us for breakfast while enjoying the birds and blooms of Rockwoods Reservation! Come and take a stroll through the newly renovated native wildflower gardens around the Visitor Center while enjoying a doughnut and a cup of shade-grown, bird-friendly coffee! Naturalists will be available to share information about the flowers and how you can grow them in your yards or container gardens. Also, spring is an excellent time to see and hear the wonderful birds of Rockwoods! Learn how to identify those birds using the Merlin bird identification app. Naturalists will also be sharing tips on what you can do to protect birds and help them thrive, including that coffee that you will be enjoying! All are welcome to stop by for a few minutes or spend some time relaxing with us enjoying the sights and sounds of spring!

Meet at the Visitor Center.

All are welcome! No reservations are required.

*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.

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.”

We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring water and magnifying glass if you have one. Please register each participant individually.

Sporting Clays is a challenging, yet fun shotgun shooting game that can likely be best described as playing golf with a shotgun. Shooters move from station to station and shoot at clay targets presented in a dizzying array of angles. It is some of the best practice for shooting at gamebirds. Bring your shotgun and enjoy an evening sampler of what this game entails. Non-Toxic shot is required. We can provide any gear needed to participate.

This Scouting event is free and will offer Scouts and their families the opportunities to test their outdoor skills, work toward a number of conservation-related merit badges* and explore the diversity of career opportunities with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Found throughout the grounds at PVCNC, activity stations will help Scouts and their families appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future. Activities include:

· Fire Building

· Outdoor Cooking

· Compass and Orienteering

· MO Plant and Animal ID

· Crafts

· and more!

Activity stations will be both indoors and outdoors. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes. Registration is required. To secure your spots, register everyone who will be attending this event (including children).

*Scout leaders should note that MDC will offer activities that may be applied towards merit badges, but the department is not authorized to sign off on badges. It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them.

Walk-in (all ages) Plants are flourishing after the bare winter. Spring is finally here, and gardening is back in full gear. Whether you're an experienced gardener or someone who can't keep a houseplant alive, all are welcome to come and try out their sculpting while making a seedball. Then, you'll take your newly made seedball home to place outside to create a native pollinator garden! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.