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GRAY SUMMIT, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Shaw Nature Reserve (SNR) invite you to learn more about the wonders of nature in Missouri and outdoor adventure at a special hiking blitz event.
MDC and SNR are hosting Explore MOre, a special outdoor exploration event happening Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. Explore MOre is open to visitors of all ages. No reservations are required.
Join knowledgeable MDC and SNR staff for guided hikes which will leave every 30-minutes throughout the day. Each walk will focus on Missouri native habitats, local wildlife, gardening, and conservation.
SNR, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, is home to 2,400 acres of restored Ozark habitat and 17-miles of hiking trails. The wide variety of natural environments all in one place will enable visitors to make new discoveries about the outdoor world.
In addition to the hikes, Explore MOre will also feature hands-on nature and outdoor skills exploration stations. Participants can visit educational tables on backpacking and hiking, tree identification, or mammal fur pelts. Other stations will demonstrate how to start a fire, offer tips on cooking meals outdoors, and even gathering wild edibles. Visitors can try their hand at throwing the atlatl, one of the very first hunting tools used by prehistoric humans. Other stations will delve into orienteering, and another will feature a fishing game (trying to keep this focused on activities for all ages).
Visitors will each get an Explore MOre passport at the event. As they collect stamps at the exploration stations and hikes, the passports can be redeemed at the welcome tent for prizes, like emergency whistles, compasses, fire starting sticks, and water bottles.
The standard $5 general admission fee to Shaw Nature Reserve covers all event activities. SNR members and kids 12 and under enjoy free admission as always. Your participation helps support SNR’s mission to inspire responsible stewardship of our environment through education, restoration, and protection of natural habitats and public enjoyment of the natural world.
SNR is located at 307 Pinetum Loop Road, on the south side of I-44 at exit #253 in Gray Summit. It’s less than 10 miles past the Six Flags exit and only a 40-minute drive from the Metro St. Louis area.
Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.
