Apr
27
9:00 AM09:00
Jun
17
to Jun 23
Jul
13
9:00 AM09:00
Jul
20
9:00 AM09:00
Sep
14
9:00 AM09:00
Sep
21
9:00 AM09:00
Sep
28
9:00 AM09:00
Mar
9
10:00 AM10:00
Greatest Of All Time - G.O.A.T
G.O.A.T. stands for 'Greatest of All Time,' as in the ultimate champs. In Missouri, this means superstar plants that do wonders for nature…native plants that birds, bees, and butterflies depend on to thrive.
If you're a gardener curious about these amazing plants, swing by the 'Goats in the Garden' event at Empire Market on March 9th. The Missouri Master Naturalist, Chert Glades Chapter, will be there to reveal Top 10 picks for different interests and garden situations.
Do you want to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden? Are you trying to save water, or do you have a problem with too much water? Is your yard all sun or all shade? Are you trying to connect children to nature, or do you just want things to look pretty?
Drop by our table and discover which plants might fit your needs in the very best way. Let's level up Missouri's green game, one awesome plant at a time!
Look for us on March 9, 2024 from 10:00 - 2:00
Empire Market
998 E 3rd St, Joplin, MO 64801
Feb
17
9:00 AM09:00
PROGRESSIVE BIRD COUNT - WILDCAT GLADES NATURE GROUP
Meet at Wildcat Glades Cottage for breakfast and a bird count around Shoal Creek Conservation & Education Center. The convoy will go to another location (Phil & Gail O’Hare) for lunch and count birds from an enclosed porch. From there the convoy will move over to the home of Martin Bailey for Dessert. It a fun day with great fellowship, food and of course BIRDS.
Feb
16
to Feb 19
Great Backyard Bird Count
How to Participate
Clockwise from top left: Maria Kalardi in Sweden, Pradip Mishra in India, Taylor Long in United States, Irvin Calicut in Kuwait.
Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 16–19, 2024.
Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to bird identification, try using the Merlin Bird ID app to tell us what birds you are seeing or hearing.
If you have participated in the count before and want to record numbers of birds, try the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop).
If you already contribute to Merlin or eBird, continue what you are doing! All entries over the 4 days count towards GBBC.
Feb
12
5:30 PM17:30
Feb
8
6:30 PM18:30
Audubon Meeting
Program is Snakes, presented by Newton County Sheriff
advance training hour
Jan
27
9:00 AM09:00
Free Native Seed Give Away
National Seed Swap Day At Empire Market - Native Seed Sharing
Nov
4
10:00 AM10:00
GUIDED BISON SAUTERS
GUIDED BISON SAUNTERS
11/4/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
National Bison Day is the first Saturday in November. This day is set aside to honor the bison as our national mammal. This 1-ton beast once roamed the plains and prairies of North America 60 million strong before we nearly wiped them out. Due to the tremendous response of past years, there will be two saunters on this day: one at 10 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. Come out to the park to see the prairie in its autumnal glory. Meet at the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center.
“What is a ‘saunter’?” you say? According to Merriam-Webster, “saunter” means "to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner : STROLL" (that is, to walk at a slower pace to take in all the surroundings). That sounds better than a hike. Come out and get that “prairie feeling” from centuries past, and while you are at it, get some exercise. Prairie State Park encompasses almost 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, which once covered 33% of Missouri. Now, less than half of 1% remains.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Park’s pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
Registration is required, and the event is limited to 25 participants per saunter. To register, call 417-843-6711.
EVENT TIME:
Morning saunter: 10 a.m. to noon
Afternoon saunter: 1-3 p.m.
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Oct
24
9:00 AM09:00
Women's Fishing Derby
Our newest fishing derby is for Ladies only. However men are allowed to attend and assist. Registration begins at 8:00am with free Fishing from 9:00am until noon. Fishing tackle and bait provided. Please do not bring any personal gear. There is no need for a tag or license. There is a four trout limit with no catch and release allowed. We provide everything you need for a fun day of fishing with volunteers to clean and pack your catch on ice. A cooler is recommended to keep your catch fresh. Free coffee and snacks will be provided.
Event date and time
Oct 14, 2023 8:00 am - Oct 14, 2023 12:00 pm (CDT)
Event location name
Neosho National Fish Hatchery
Address
520 Park StreetNeosho,64850MO
Oct
13
10:00 AM10:00
Spider Web Wonders
SPIDER WEB WONDERS
10/13/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Have you ever seen what appears to be a diamond-studded web, glistening with dew in morning sun, and wondered where it came from? Who made it and how? Come learn about the fascinating world of spiders and the wonder of their webs. This class will be held Friday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon and is designed for children ages 5 and up. Class size is limited to 35. Registration is required and must be completed by Oct. 6. To register, call 417-843-6711.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People trails. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Parks' pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
CLASS TIME: 10 A.M. - NOON
Prairie State Park is located at:
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Oct
6
to Oct 8
WOW NATIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATION AND CONSERVATION SCHOOL
10/6/2023 TO 10/8/2023 | ROARING RIVER STATE PARK | CASSVILLE, MO
Plan to attend the 26th annual WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School Oct. 6-8 at Roaring River State Park.
WOW teaches through hands-on learning experiences in an outdoor setting. Attracting a wide range of ages, interests, and abilities, WOW Outdoor School is an affordable family outing with an educational experience. Knowledgeable instructors will lead courses on numerous outdoor activities throughout the park and at local venues. Classes introduce attendees to a variety of outdoor activities that may include caving, rappelling, canoeing, shooting sports, fly fishing, fly tying, fishing, archery, primitive skills, camping, outdoors survival, Dutch oven cooking, nature crafts, outdoor photography, high ropes, rock climbing, stargazing and nature identification. The weekend programs are designed to teach families how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility.
For more information on registration, call the WOW Education Office at 417-225-1162 or visit wondersofwildlife.org/education/wow-school.
EVENT TIMES:
Friday, Oct 6: 1:30-9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct 7: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct 8: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Click here for information on other WOW Schools happening in 2023.
Roaring River State Park is located at:
12716 Farm Road 2239, Cassville, MO | 417-847-2539
Sep
29
10:00 AM10:00
Looking at Leaves
LOOKING AT LEAVES
9/29/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? What happens that causes them to turn loose from trees and fall to the ground? Come join us as we learn about leaves, observe them in detail, and make leaf rubbings to take home. This class will be held Friday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon and is designed for children ages 5 and up. Class size is limited to 35. Registration is required and must be completed by Sept. 22. To register, call 417-843-6711.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People trails. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Parks' pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
CLASS TIME: 10 A.M. - NOON
Click here for a complete list of fall fun events in Missouri State Parks.
Prairie State Park is located at:
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Sep
9
10:00 AM10:00
PRAIRIE DAY
★
SPECIAL EVENT
EVENT
George Washington Carver National Monument
FEE:
Free.
DATES & TIMES
Date:
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Time:
10:00 AM
Duration:
5 hours
TYPE OF EVENT
Children’s Program
Cultural/Craft Demonstration
Guided Tour
Living History
Performance
Talk
Volunteer Event
Walk
DESCRIPTION
Celebrating life on the Missouri prairie during the late 1800s when George Washington Carver was a child, this event includes basket weaving, candle-making, Dutch-oven cooking, spinning, weaving, storytelling, musical groups, quilting, a junior ranger station, and more.
RESERVATION OR REGISTRATION: NO
CONTACT INFORMATION
Curtis Gregory
417.325.4151
Contact Us
Sep
9
10:00 AM10:00
Guided Bison Saunter
9/9/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Prairie State Park will have a Guided Bison Saunter starting at the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center at 10 a.m.
“What is a ‘saunter’?” you say? According to Merriam-Webster, “saunter” means "to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner : STROLL" (that is, to walk at a slower pace to take in all the surroundings). That sounds better than a hike. Come out and get that “prairie feeling” from centuries past, and while you are at it, get some exercise. Prairie State Park encompasses almost 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, which once covered 33% of Missouri. Now, less than half of 1% remains.
Has the heat got you down? The bison don't mind. They have shed much of their fur and are able to handle the temperatures. For more than 5,000 years they have coped with this weather.
Visitors should be prepared for at least a 2-mile saunter over uneven terrain. Since we won’t know the location of the bison until the morning of the event, bringing water and snacks and wearing sturdy footwear is recommended. Be sure to come prepared for the weather.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Park’s pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
Registration is required, and the event is limited to 25 participants. To register, call 417-843-6711.
EVENT TIME: 10 A.M. - NOON
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Aug
15
to Sep 15
Jul
22
9:00 AM09:00
Jul
8
10:00 AM10:00
Jun
24
10:00 AM10:00
Wild Cats of Missouri
Bobcat
Mountain Lion
6/24/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Come join us at Prairie State Park as we learn about two wild cats native to Missouri: bobcats and mountain lions. Learn how these magnificent creatures live, and what they eat, and what you should do if you happen to cross paths with one of them. A bobcat mount and a mountain lion pelt will be available for viewing.
To accommodate anticipated attendance numbers, two classes will be held. The first class will be Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to noon; the second class will be Tuesday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m. Each class is designed for adults and children ages 5 and up. Class size is limited to 35. To register, call 417-843-6711. Must be registered by June 17.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Park’s pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
For more information about this event, call the park at 417-843-6711.
EVENT DATES AND TIMES:
June 24, 10 a.m. to noon
June 27, 7-9 p.m.
Prairie State Park is located at:
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Jun
21
6:00 PM18:00
Summer Solstice Hike
DETAILS
Date:
June 21
Time:
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Website:
https://bit.ly/WCSummerSolsticeHike2023
ORGANIZER
Wildcat Glades Friends Group
Phone:
4177087713
VENUE
Wildcat Glades Education Cottage
301 Riviera Drive
JOPLIN, MO 64804 United States + Google Map
Free class sponsored by U.S. Bank for ages 13 and up.
What better way to welcome summer than to spend your evening out on the trails? June 21st is the longest day of the year, and Wildcat Glades Nature Group volunteers are planning to take advantage of the extra sunlight. Join us to hike the entire 4-mile trail through Wildcat Park! This hike will be for those that can handle long hikes and periods of steep/rough terrain. Bring your hiking poles (if you want to!), hiking shoes, water and maybe even a small snack. Participants will learn a bit about what our Nature Group does, and will also learn some tree identification along the way. This program will be limited to a certain number of participants, and you must pre-register. Please do so by visiting our Facebook page, emailing robin@wildcatglades.org, or by going to https://bit.ly/WCSummerSolsticeHike2023.
Jun
21
4:00 PM16:00
MPF Webinar: Native Grassland Reconstructions for Wildlife and Grazing
Native grassland reconstructions offer a sustainable approach to feeding livestock while providing environmental benefits. Native pastures that include grasses and forbs for grazing animals also provide habitat and food for pollinating insects and birds, and help protect water quality. Learn from Rick and Jerod how to make the transition on your own land and the impact it can have.
Rick Rath Rick Rath is the district supervisor in the Frontier District for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Prior to that, he was an MDC Private Lands Conservationist in Dade, Cedar, and Polk counties. In that role, Rath specialized in prairie management and incorporating native forages into grazing systems.
MPF’s Director of Prairie Management Jerod Huebner oversees prairie management planning and execution including invasive species control, prescribed fire, and all other aspects of the stewardship of MPF’s prairies.
This webinar, to be held via Zoom, will include a 45-minute presentation followed by a question/answer session. A link to a recording of the webinar will be sent to all registrants.
Cost: Free
If you have questions about registration, please contact outreach@moprairie.org.
Photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Jun
21
3:00 PM15:00
Snakes of Missouri Virtual Program
Registration Open 284 of 300 seats remaining
LOCATION & SCHEDULE
Meeting on:Located at:
Start TimeEnd TimeWednesday, June 21, 20233:00 PMWednesday, June 21, 20234:00 PM
MDC Virtual Nature Center
Additional Information:Instructed by:Whether you find them creepy, cool or both, people often find snakes fascinating. Join us virtually to learn more about the 40+ species of snakes in our state. We'll discuss why snakes are beneficial and go over some of our more common snakes as well as our venomous species in the state. All ages. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.AMY J JUHALA
Email InstructorCancellation Policies:
You must cancel your registration before Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Age Policy:
This event is open to all ages.
If you are having difficulty registering online, you can contact the phone registration vendor at 1.888.283.0364. Event call center hours are M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This phone number is for event registration only.
Jun
20
10:30 AM10:30
Conservation in the Parks: Birdwatching Basics
DETAILS
Date:
June 20
Time:
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
VENUE
Landreth Park
1001 NW Murphy Blvd
Joplin, Joplin 6480 + Google Map
Birds are busy building nests and raising young! This incredible spectacle might seem like it is only visible in areas that are far away from cities, but all sorts of birds can be found right in the middle of Joplin! Interesting and beautiful birds are found in our local parks, including Landreth Park. Join us to look for birds such as Eastern Bluebirds and Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers, and to learn the basics of birdwatching. Wildcat Glades Nature Group and Missouri Department of Conservation naturalists will teach participants how to birdwatch. This program will be limited to a certain number of participants, and you must pre-register. You can do so by visiting our Facebook page, emailing maddie@wildcatglades.org, or by going to https://bit.ly/ConservationInTheParksJune2023. All ages are welcome, but it is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Jun
20
10:00 AM10:00
Jun
19
5:30 PM17:30
Wildflower Walk at Schuette Prairie with Jerod Huebner
Take a wildflower walk at MPF’s Schuette Prairie (southeast of Bolivar, MO) with MPF Director of Prairie Management Jerod Huebner. Summer wildflowers should be abundant! Walk will cover approximately 1/2 mile and last about an hour. Dress for a walk in the prairie.
Cost: Free. Maximum registration: 15. We can put you on waiting lists if registration fills up. Secure your spot by emailing outreach@moprairie.org or calling 636-303-7418.
Inclement weather date: June 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Photo of pale purple and yellow coneflowers in bloom at Schuette Prairie by Bruce Schuette
Jun
17
1:00 PM13:00
CASTING A LEGACY - ART WALK
George Washington Carver National Monument
FEE: Free.
DATES & TIMES - Saturday, June 17, 2023, 1:00 PM
Duration:
1 hour
TYPE OF EVENT: TALK
DESCRIPTION
Join a park ranger for a walk near the visitor center, exploring commemorative artwork along the trail.
RESERVATION OR REGISTRATION: NO
CONTACT INFORMATION
Curtis Gregory
417.325.4151
Jun
16
7:00 PM19:00
Jun
10
10:00 AM10:00
Wildflower Walk
6/10/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Summer is just around the corner, and prairie is ripe with color from all the wildflowers. Join a park naturalist at the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center for a walk among green grasses and colorful flowers to learn more about the amazing prairie ecosystem.
Participants should dress appropriately for a hike across the prairie in June weather. Long pants, water, insect repellent, sunscreen and sturdy shoes are recommended. The hike will last about two hours and cover approximately 2 miles.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Park’s pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
For more information about this event, call the park at 417-843-6711.
HIKE TIME: 10 A.M. - NOON
Prairie State Park is located at:
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711
Jun
9
9:00 AM09:00
Senior's Fishing Derby
Always the second Friday in June, this fishing derby is open to Senior citizens aged 62 and over and individuals of any age with a permanent disability. Registration begins at 8:00am, free fishing runs from 9:00 am - 12:00pm. Free hot dog lunch served. Fishing tackle and bait are provided. There is no license or tag required. There is a four trout limit and no catch and release allowed. We provide everything you need for a fun day. Volunteers will clean your catch and pack them on ice. Please bring a cooler to take your fish home. No personal fishing gear allowed to prevent possible contamination of our waters.
Event date and time
Jun 9, 2023 8:00 am - Jun 9, 2023 12:00 pm (CDT)
Event location name
Neosho National Fish Hatchery
Address
520 Park StreetNeosho,64850MO
Jun
8
6:00 PM18:00
OGAS (Ozark Gateway Audubon Society) Potluck Dinner
Ozark Gateway Audubon Society is holding its annual potluck supper at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 8, at the Friends of Wildcat Glades cottage in Wildcat Park. Bring a potluck dish to share with all and your own table service. Drinks will be furnished. (Note that the time is a little earlier than our regular meetings.)
Lydia Swift will give a short program on fireflies, and then members can share special wildlife sightings or brief anecdotes or adventures. If you have photos, you can bring them on a thumb drive to share via Robin's laptop or send jpg to robin@wildcatglades.org.
Jun
7
4:00 PM16:00
MPF Master Class: Hover Flies: Pollinators, Predators, and Master Mimics
he control of aphids in agriculture has been a significant force in learning more about a group of flies in the family Syrphidae—the hover flies/flower flies. The larval stage of many hover fly species are direct predators of aphids, a major pest in agriculture and sometimes in the garden, especially on milkweed. Their benefit is not limited to predation, however. Hover flies are also very important pollinators, mimicking the other very important pollinators, bees.
Betsy Betros’s lifelong love of insects began in childhood, then she went on to earn a degree in entomology from Colorado State University, focusing mostly on aquatic insects. She worked for 35 years for the Environmental Department of Johnson County, Kansas, and worked to earn a Master’s degree from Kansas University in environmental health. She taught environmental science for 15 years, part time at Johnson County Community College, and found time to write a book on the butterflies of the Kansas City Region, which was published in 2008. In her retirement, Betros studies and photographs invertebrates on her five acres of land. So far, she has submitted more than 4,000 of her invertebrate images to Bugguide.net, including several rare species.
This master class, to be held via Zoom, will include a 50-minute presentation and at least a 10 minute question-and-answer session. A recording will only be available to those who have registered.
Cost: Free to all MPF dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members, or $15 for non-members. Visit our MPF membership page to become a member and attend all master classes for free!
For those who are part of the Grow Native! Professional Certification Program (GNPCP), this master class counts as one CEU. To register for the class, use the registration link above and see details about earning GNPCP CEUs here. If you have questions about registration, contact outreach@moprairie.org.
Photo of hover fly on woodland spiderwort by Hayley Howard.
Jun
5
8:00 PM20:00
Wildflower Hike
6/10/2023 | PRAIRIE STATE PARK | MINDENMINES, MO
Summer is just around the corner, and prairie is ripe with color from all the wildflowers. Join a park naturalist at the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center for a walk among green grasses and colorful flowers to learn more about the amazing prairie ecosystem.
Participants should dress appropriately for a hike across the prairie in June weather. Long pants, water, insect repellent, sunscreen and sturdy shoes are recommended. The hike will last about two hours and cover approximately 2 miles.
Due to the unique and rare diversity of life preserved at Prairie State Park, pets are not allowed on park trails, EXCEPT for Path of the Earth People and Path of the Sky People. Bison graze freely in the park, and this regulation protects both you and your pet. You are welcome to bring your pet to the park’s campground and picnic area, but you must follow Missouri State Park’s pet rules. This applies to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.
For more information about this event, call the park at 417-843-6711.
HIKE TIME: 10 A.M. - NOON
Prairie State Park is located at:
128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO | 417-843-6711