Stay in Touch with MDC news, newsletters, events, and manage your subscription
Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
KIRKWOOD, Mo.— The sounds of birds, frogs, and insects create their own unique melodies. Nature has long been an inspiration in music for people too.
In the spirit of art imitating nature, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Nature Center is hosting a special weekend musical event featuring the Eco Tones Ensemble of professional musicians. It’s a performance-based program which combines music, hiking, and nature. Discover Nature: Eco Tones is happening Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15 on the nature center’s Hickory Ridge Trail. Both days will offer performances from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2-4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the entire family.
The St. Louis Eco Tones ensemble is comprised of world-class professional musicians from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The Eco Tones concerts transform the 1.3 mile paved Hickory Ridge trail into a unique and enchanting performance venue. Along the trail, MDC naturalists will highlight the surrounding trees, plants, birds, small critters, and stream life of Hickory Ridge, as Eco Tone’s musicians perform music inspired by the trail's natural sounds. Instruments include cello, violin, flute, bassoon, and saxophone.
Hiking audience members participate, influence, and interact with the music-making along the trail. Hikers should bring water, appropriate hiking footwear, and any snacks needed for a 2.5 hour walk/event. All ages welcome, and the trail is stroller and red-wagon friendly.
Join Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center and the Eco Tones Ensemble for a harmonious blend of nature and music, along with entertainment and education.
Discover Nature: Eco Tones is free, however online preregistration is required using the following links:
Powder Valley Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.
Program registrants should note that families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own which will streamline the program registration process. Once a group account is set up, parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to logoff and login for each person. This allows parents to register an entire family or select family members to an event at the same time.
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.
