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WINONA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host Heritage Day April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center. The annual free event features forest management demonstrations and workshops, pond fishing, archery live music, and a fish fry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last.
“This is our largest annual event and we always look forward to it,” said Skyler Bockman, manager of Twin Pines. “Even our name, Twin Pines, reflects the forest history of our region and we enjoy the opportunity to share that heritage with our neighbors in these fun activities.”
This is the 9th year for Heritage Day at Twin Pines, which attracts hundreds of people each year. Bockman said it was previously held the second Saturday of April, but was moved to the third Saturday to avoid a conflict with youth spring turkey hunting.
Many presenters will be dressed as characters from the past to help illustrate the valuable history of the Ozarks, Bockman said. Demonstrations will include bee keeping, bowin’ and spikin, wingbone turkey calls, plant identification hikes, Sassafras paddle making, handmade fishing lures, jon boat making and mandolin making. Bockman said guests will enjoy music by Mike Frazier and the Short Leaf Pine band.
“This is a chance for us to consider how far we’ve come over the years as a community and what a vital role nature and conservation has played over that time,” Bockman said. “We know our state is a great place to fish and hunt, we know how much our community cares about nature and conservation, but we don’t always think about how we got here.”
Bockman said the event is family-friendly with naturalist-led activities. No reservations are needed. Call (573)325-1381 for more information about Heritage Day.
Twin Pines is located on Highway 60, 1.3 miles east of the intersection of Highway 60 and Highway 19 North. For a full list of events at the center, go online to mdc.mo.gov/TwinPines.
