Discover Nature Events

Join photographer Paul Moffett in exploring the birds of the confluence. After retirement Paul started work on documenting, via photography, the birds of the confluence area. He's documented over 300 specimens in that 20 mile stretch between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers confluence and the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers confluence. He volunteers for Audubon at Riverlands primarily working with the Swan Society and Missouri Department of Conservation.

This program is part of our Nature Center @ Night series, the building will remain open until 7:30pm.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians. Youth and adult organizations welcome.

With teal season starting next month it's important to be prepared to hunt for one of the fastest waterfowl in Missouri! We’ll go over what types of teal you can expect to see and the equipment and decoys that will make your hunt a success. Participants will receive the virtual program link at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive this link.

“Know thy enemy,” we’ve heard the phrase for years, but knowing which species are invasive or not can be daunting. This program is designed as an introductory guide to some of the most common invasive species in southeast Missouri. We will focus on decoding some of the botanical jargon and learning common sense rules that help you target problem plants. This program will be held both indoor and outdoor on the nature center trails. Please dress for high temperatures and bring a bottle of water to hike with. Trails cover graveled, hilly terrain; hiking boots or athletic shoes recommended.

Celebrate the dog days of summer by learning about Missouri’s wild dogs. Are you as clever as a fox or as crafty as a coyote? Join us for a howling good time as we discover more about the lives of these canine friends through interactive play. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Celebrate the dog days of summer by learning about Missouri’s wild dogs. Are you as clever as a fox or as crafty as a coyote? Join us for a howling good time as we discover more about the lives of these canine friends through interactive play. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Meet one of the smallest turtles in North America, the eastern musk turtle. This tiny turtle spends most of its time under water and is seldom seen. We will take an in-depth look at this pint-sized reptile and find out why it is sometimes called a stinkpot. Participants will receive the virtual program link at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive this link.

Registration required (adults) Grab your walking shoes and join this hike through the Columbus Park and River Market neighborhoods. Covering roughly three miles, this moderately paced hike will utilize sidewalks to explore nature in these older neighborhoods. During the hike we will discuss native and invasive plants, wildlife ID, hiking safety and other great urban hikes in KC. The instructor will e-mail the exact meeting location to participants the week prior to the hike. You will receive an e-mail from the instructor if weather conditions indicate a need to cancel the program. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians. This program is part of our “Nature Center at Night” series, the nature center will be open until 7 pm this evening.

Insects are found on every continent playing important roles and our world wouldn’t be the same without them. Discover what it takes to be an insect as we explore the fields and forest in pursuit of these 6-legged creatures.