Discover Nature

7 Ideas for Family Fun

Native Plant Sale and Workshops

April 1 • Saturday • 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Southwest Region, Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804 No registration required, call 417-888-4237 for more information. Adults.

Plants will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors, and conservation-friendly information will be available from exhibitors. A series of guest speakers will be discussing topics related to native plants throughout the day in the auditorium.

Adventure Birding: A “Birds and Blooms” Trek

April 8 • Saturday • 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Central Region, Runge Conservation Nature Center, 330 Commerce Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 Registration required, call 573-526-5544 beginning April 1 Ages 11 years and older, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Clifty Creek Conservation Area, on the Great Missouri Birding Trail, is a favorite hot spot for many birders. Join us for a trek among the birds and blooms. There will be spring wildflowers, migrant birds, and maybe some other critters, too. Bring a lunch, water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring your binoculars. We will meet at Runge, and transportation will be provided.

Discover Nature — Families: .22 Rifle Shooting Basics

April 8 • Saturday • 8:30–11:30 a.m. Southwest Region, Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, 4895 N. Farm Road 61, Ash Grove, MO 65604 Registration required, call 417-742-4361 All ages.

Join us to discover the joys of shooting a .22. We will discuss rifle nomenclature, dominant eye, sight picture, sight alignment, breath control, trigger squeeze, shooting positions, and much more. You may use our rifles or your own. If using your own, make sure your rifle is completely unloaded before you arrive at the range.

Go Native

April 15 • Saturday • 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Kansas City Region, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. Kansas City MO 64110 No registration required All ages.

Learn about the wide variety of native plants to suit your landscaping needs.

Discover Nature — Fishing: Lesson 1

April 15 • Saturday • 1–3 p.m. Northeast Region, Adair County Public Library, 1 Library Lane, Kirksville, MO, 63501 Registration required, call 573-248-2530 by April 14 All ages, families.

Learn about fishing equipment, techniques, and how to cast with a rod and reel.

Earth Day in Forest Park

April 22 and 23 Saturday and Sunday • 11 a.m.–5 p.m. St. Louis Region, Forest Park, 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112 No registration required All ages.

Earth Day in Forest Park brings together over 60,000 people a year, making it the second largest Earth Day event in the nation. Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation booth. A native tree seedling and children’s craft is offered to Earth Day attendees. Visit stlouisearthday.org for more information.

Feathered Friends

April 29 • Saturday • 1–4 p.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 No registration required, call 573-290-5218 for more information All ages, families.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no wait … it is a bird! See live hawks and owls, learn how to identify birds, enjoy bird activities, and take home a bird craft at our birdtastic event! Bird presentations at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.