Events

Hoo hoo hoo's that hooting in the woods? Come learn about the many different owls that call Missouri home. After a short educational talk, experience a walk in the woods at night as we attempt to speak with some of our local chatty Barred owls. The walk will take place on the Broken Ridge trail, which is approximately 2/3 mile long. Be prepared for inclines and declines. Bug spray is highly recommended. Make sure to bring good walking shoes and a flashlight.

Please note REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! If you are registering a group of people, please register each individual (including children). If you are unsure of how to register multiple people, please email the program instructor for assistance.

Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who calls Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the Nature Center. After the snake encounter, spend time enjoying the rest of the exhibits! An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the Nature Center lobby.

Come out and enjoy the day at our August A. Busch Shooting range open house. There will be loads of activities, some to include .22 call rifle shooting, shotgun shooting, atlatl, archery, 18 static displays, disc golf, fishing game, demonstrations by Agent Nick Bommarito with MDC's newest dog and much more! If it is hot dont worry we have free snow cones for everyone! This event is completely free and tons of family fun!

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1

This first class includes instruction as well as hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn parts of a fishing pole, how to properly and safely cast a spincast fishing pole, how to fasten basic fishing tackle, and how to properly handle and release a fish.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Now is your time to come to Powder Valley and ask a highly trained naturalist all your wildlife questions. The naturalist will be stationed near the Hickory Ridge trailhead.

Join us at Busch Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Busch CA, we will start off our morning with some kayaking on the lake and BB Gun target practice with our Busch Shooting Range staff, following by lunch at the picnic pavilion. To end our day, we will cool off in the classroom to meet some of our resident cold-blooded critters and learn about the reptiles and amphibians of Missouri.

Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Refrigeration is available if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water-resistant shoes for kayaking are recommended.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the classroom in the main building at Busch CA.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Now is your time to come to Powder Valley and ask a highly trained naturalist all your wildlife questions. The naturalist will be stationed in the main lobby of the nature center.

Please join us at Powder Valley Nature Center as well-known horticulturist Scott Woodbury presents on native planting. The presentation will be followed by a tour of the native plant gardens at the nature center.

Over the past thirty years, Scott led development of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve and has written, lectured and consulted on many native landscape subjects, programs and projects. In 2000 Scott founded the St. Louis chapter of Wild Ones, which is now the largest chapter in the nation. In 2022 Scott started Cacalia Garden Design and Wilding; a consulting and design business in St. Louis.

The nature center doors will open at 6 pm so visitors can tour the exhibits. MDC staff will manage tables on topics such as native planting and pollinators.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.