Spring is a beautiful season in St. Louis and the surrounding areas, as the city comes to life with colorful blooms and blossoms. If you're a nature lover, you won't want to miss the chance to witness the stunning spring wildflowers that flourish in the region. Here are five of the best places to see spring wildflowers within an hour of St. Louis: Shaw Nature Reserve Shaw Nature Reserve, located in Gray Summit, Missouri, is a 2,400-acre nature reserve that offers a diverse range of habitats for wildflowers to thrive. The reserve has over 14 miles of hiking trails, where visitors can see a variety of wildflowers, including bluebells, wild ginger, and bloodroot. The reserve also hosts guided wildflower walks in the spring, led by experienced naturalists who can help you identify the different species. 2. Missouri Botanical Garden The Missouri Botanical Garden, located in St. Louis, is a 79-acre oasis in the heart of the city. The garden has an extensive collection of plant species, including many wildflowers that bloom in the spring. Visitors can see a variety of wildflowers in the garden's many themed areas, such as the English Woodland Garden and the Native Plant School Garden. 3. Meramec Conservation Area Meramec Conservation Area, located in Pacific, Missouri, is a 6,000-acre area that is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. The area has several hiking trails that offer visitors the chance to see a variety of wildflowers, including trilliums, Dutchman's breeches, and Virginia bluebells. The area is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the wildflowers are in full bloom. 4. Weldon Spring Conservation Area Weldon Spring Conservation Area, located in St. Charles County, Missouri, is a 8,000-acre area that offers visitors the chance to see a variety of wildflowers. The area has several hiking trails that wind through wooded areas, grasslands, and wetlands. Visitors can see a variety of wildflowers, including white trillium, spring beauty, and Virginia bluebells. 5. Hawn State Park Hawn State Park, located in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, is a 4,956-acre park that offers visitors the chance to see a variety of wildflowers in the spring. The park has several hiking trails that wind through the Ozark Mountains and along the Pickle Creek. Visitors can see a variety of wildflowers, including wild columbine, dwarf larkspur, and Indian paintbrush. In conclusion, St. Louis and its surrounding areas offer plenty of opportunities for nature lovers to see spring wildflowers. Whether you're interested in a leisurely stroll through a botanical garden or a challenging hike through the mountains, there's a place for you to see the beautiful blooms of spring. So, pack your hiking boots, grab your camera, and get ready to explore the beauty of nature!

Spring turkey hunting season is an exciting time for hunters in Missouri. It's a time to get out in nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery, while also having the opportunity to hunt a challenging and elusive game bird. To prepare for the spring turkey hunting season in Missouri, here are five steps you can take: Obtain your hunting license and permits Before heading out to hunt turkeys, it is important to obtain all the necessary licenses and permits required by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Scout your hunting area Scouting is essential for a successful turkey hunt. The first step in scouting is to choose an area to hunt. Look for areas with a lot of turkey activity, such as places where you have seen turkeys before or where there is a lot of turkey sign, like tracks or droppings. Use maps and aerial imagery to identify potential locations, and then visit those areas in person to confirm your findings. Practice your calling Calling is a crucial part of turkey hunting, and practicing your calls can help increase your chances of success. There are many different types of turkey calls, including box calls, slate calls, and mouth calls. Experiment with different calls to find the one that works best for you. Start by practicing basic turkey sounds like clucks, purrs, and yelps, and then move on to more advanced calls like the gobble and kee-kee run. Choose your gear Having the right gear can make a big difference in your hunting success. Choose clothing that is comfortable, lightweight, and camouflaged to blend in with the surroundings. You will also need a turkey hunting vest to carry your calls, decoys, and other accessories. Consider investing in a quality turkey shotgun with a choke that is appropriate for turkey hunting, as well as decoys and blinds to help conceal you from the birds. Safety first Safety should always be a top priority when hunting, and turkey hunting is no exception. Always let someone know where you will be hunting and when you expect to return. Wear hunter orange or other visible clothing to make yourself visible to other hunters. Never stalk a turkey, and always be sure of your target before firing your weapon. In conclusion, the spring turkey hunting season in Missouri is an exciting time for hunters, but it requires preparation and planning. By following these five steps, you can increase your chances of success and ensure a safe and enjoyable hunting experience. Remember to obtain all necessary licenses and permits, scout your hunting area, practice your calling, choose the right gear, and prioritize safety at all times. Happy hunting!

A random picture from Family -Outdoors because every blog post should have a picture... Our forum had been neglected and spammed. I've gone back and started fresh ...feel free to utilize the forum for legit outdoor discussion. Posting spam will be reported and users blocked...zero tolerance. https://www.family-outdoors.com/forum

I was bound and determined to see the sunrise on the Grand Canyon. I had never paid a visit to this ultra famous national park, and after arriving late the previous night (see Southwest Ramble - Day 1), I still hadn't seen the canyon itself. I could barely sleep in anticipation. I had already cleared things with Laura that if she woke up tired she could sleep in and I'd do an early morning stint, returning later in the morning to get her. That is indeed what we ended up doing. I had everything laid out and ready to go and was headed out the door before 6 am for a 7:30 am sunrise at the canyon about 15 minutes away. I had planned to grab some coffee and maybe a little food at the McDonald's on the way - it turned out it was closed and would be for quite some time due to remodeling. So, I found some gas station coffee and some banana bread to get my system going and was off. The entry to the park has an automated ticketing system for the off hours. It was a little tricky getting it to work in the low light, but I made it in. I headed to parking lot number one by the Visitor Center where there was one other car already there. I headed for Mather Point using Google Maps in walking mode and it did a good job, though I wished I'd brought my micro-spikes as the parking lot and the asphalt trail was a sheet of ice. This has been a very snowy and cold year in the area. Early morning temps had typically been single digits above or below zero, but afternoon highs were warming to at or above freezing causing the sheet ice in the parking lots and some parts of the trails. With a little caution I made it over to Mather Point with no issues. That particular morning the temperature was actually in the mid-twenties, but the wind was fierce. I was regretful at not having brought my hand warmers which were back at the hotel. But, even in the near darkness, the scene was so overwhelming I wasn't thinking much about my hands. I'm not a great descriptive writer, but even if i was, I'd never be able to scratch the surface of doing the Grand Canyon justice with words. I've seen some truly beautiful places in the world, and the Grand Canyon is certainly one of them. I was there with more than a half hour to go before the sun would be peeking over the rim to the east of Mather Point, and of course I filled much of this time taking photos - but it also gave me time to just absorb the moment. In fact, for awhile, I had Mather Point all to myself. To be alone in a place like that is a special gift. Of course I had no special right to be alone there, but I surely did appreciate the blessing that I did get those moments. Soon, folks started to arrive and it was still special and beautiful - but my thoughts were inevitably distracted by the voices around me. The sun rose in magnificent fashion as I expected. Perhaps it was more psychological than real, but the warmth I immediately felt made me think that the light and its warmth were like a force that brought the canyon awake and alive. Almost immediately the ravens took to flight - in this case mostly below our vantage point. I could just imagine the other creatures less visible and hidden in this wilderness gradually standing and stretching and welcoming the sun's life force. After awhile, I departed. By now there were perhaps a couple dozen or more people who'd arrived and I was ready to get Laura and explore some of the snowy trails in the area. I managed to find my way back to my rental car and headed back to the hotel. We ate some oatmeal we'd brought and headed back to the canyon. Our general activities included going back to Mather Point so Laura could see the magnificent view it offers, a trip to the Visitor's Center, and then hikes along the rim. The trail along the rim (Rim Trail) is in summer an asphalt path. This year, with all the snow it was either ice covered or snow covered nearly everywhere. We did use microspikes which I'd encourage you to have if you go in the winter months. They greatly improved our experience. From the Visitor Center, we hiked about two miles east and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. On this particular trek, we did not take any of the trails down into the canyon as we just did not have the time. That will certainly be on our agenda for next time. As we had a four hour drive ahead of us, we came back to the car around 3 pm and began the beautiful drive to Phoenix. The trip back down to Williams and then from there to Flagstaff and down out of the mountains is some of the most scenic highway miles I have seen. The balance of our trip was mostly of no great interest for the purposes of this blog, though I may add some information eventually on the drive between Phoenix and Las Vegas as it was quite stunningly beautiful.

Fifty-nine years old and I'd never seen the Grand Canyon! I have spent plenty of time in the western United States, but the Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico part of the region was pretty foreign territory to me. My wife and I had decided a short trip somewhere was what the doctor was calling for, and this itinerary kind of made sense. We were not disappointed - mostly. We flew out of STL on a Tuesday, about a noonish departure, and arrived in Las Vegas around 2 PM. Their airport is a monstrosity...especially the aspect of getting to a rental car. Best case scenario...you take one shuttle to the "Car Rental Center." For lucky us, our rental car company required an second shuttle from there to their rental agency... So, my hoped for departure time of 3 PM to get on the road to the Grand Canyon was more like 4 PM, if that. We headed towards the Grand Lodge at the Grand Canyon, choosing on the fly to not make a stop at the Hoover Dam due to the lateness of our departure. Still, we got some pretty good views of the lake from the interstate, and part of our mission was to think about places we'd spend more time in the future. Still not sure if that'll be on the agenda - partially because we're not certain we'll come through Vegas next time. We made a stop in Kingman, AZ for an elegant Micky D's dinner and got back on the road as night was starting to fall. As we headed closer to our destination, the sun left us and the beautiful star-filled desert sky greeted us. At some point, Laura informed me there was starting to be snow on the ground, and we realized we had entered a beautiful high desert winter scene. The land seemed to just glow with the snow reflecting the moonlight. We had planned a stop in Williams, where you turn north off the interstate to travel the final 50-ish miles to the Grand Canyon area - for us that night, we'd be staying in Tusayan. Anyway, Williams is most certainly on our itinerary for a more thorough visit to this area. It is a charmingly beautiful small town - and, it has a very nice Safeway where we bought a few things to keep our meals costs down. We finished up there, filed the gas tank, and headed north on Hwy 64 for the final hour of driving. Again, the country was stunningly beautiful. As we drove, I thought about how much fun it was going to be to see that country in the daylight when we left. The wind by now was really howling, and though the sky was crystal clear, drifts of snow covered the road sporadically. After about an hour, we pulled into Tusayan where out hotel was located. At least in winter, this little town is also charming. I imagine at the height of the tourism season, my thoughts might be different. We checked in to the very nice Grand Lodge at the Grand Canyon, and tried our best to sleep as we eagerly anticipated watching the sun rise over the Grand Canyon in a few hours.

Had a great time at two mid-MO outdoor areas today. This was a day that replaced a missed opportunity to meet up with our youngest son David, and his girlfriend - a bout with some non-pandemic variety viruses being the culprit for the missed date. Anyway, David and I were both well, he was off for the MLK holiday, and so we honored the day with some outdoor bonding time. My day started with a very eye-opening interaction with a tender soul, Kevin, a forty-two year old man down on his luck. I came across Kevin at an I-70 truck stop. He wanted money or food or both. I agreed to help with food, and also gave him some thoughts on how he might be able to locate shelter as he had no place to live and a car that was barely running. Though I loved my day with David, I could not get Kevin completely out of my head for the rest of the day. But as I left the truck stop and got on the interstate for the hour and a half drive, the rainy and cloudy skies cleared, and I was able to refocus the majority of my thoughts on my upcoming time with David. He and I have always functioned at our best together when in the outdoors - I always look forward to these times. Our destination was Rock Bridge State Park just south of Columbia. As I approached the area, it really struck me that Columbia had really sprawled outwards, but as I got close, the area returned to the way I remembered it from the mid-1980s…I have been back to the area a few times since I guess. There are some really cool features in the park, perhaps the highlight being Devil’s Icebox Cave. We had both seen it quite a few times and it was kind of overrun with people, so we hit the trails and covered about 4.8 miles of a variety of terrain…up and down and through creek drainages and through a forest that is regenerating after clearly being cleared sometime in the not too far past. Bon Femme Creek is quite pretty through the area, even when pretty low as it was today. After some really nice hiking on a warm but windy day, we hit one of our favorite places to eat in COMO for lunch. We continued our pleasant conversations over lunch and then parted ways after some awesome time together. On my return trip, I wanted a little more time traipsing around, so I stopped at the beautiful Whetstone Creek Conservation Area. It’s mostly prairie, but has some pretty forested areas, smaller fishing lakes and ponds, and of course Whetstone Creek. There are a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities here, including hunting, fishing, and camping. Besides some photography, I got in a very leisurely run. I was really glad I stopped. I just about always feel better having spent time in the outdoors, and particularly enjoy it when I spend it with people I care about. If you have any questions about either of these two areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The sense most people have is that there is nothing but strife and disagreement between conservationists/environmentalists and industry and private landowners. This is not always true, and in fact, it is often untrue. I thought I'd give a short illustration on this post by highlighting the efforts to protect the Lesser Prairie Chicken - a beautiful bird that is threatened in the Great Plains. These birds are a long time inhabitant of parts of Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico primarily, but their habitat has been deeply affected by many factors. There are the obvious ones like habitat destruction from things like agriculture, but also less obvious ones like lack of natural wildfire. Many natural processes involve fire (shortleaf pine propagation in Missouri is an example), and since people tend to not want their land and dwellings burned, it's usually suppressed, or at least the attempt is made to do so. So, people who care about preserving species and land, for whatever reason, sometimes join together to fight these forces. Realistically, none of the stakeholders get all of what they want, but by working together they get some of what they want. The Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) is an example of these types of efforts. If you dive into the details, you realize that it's not been a completely seamless process. Stakeholders from petroleum, agriculture, environmental groups, scientific groups, government groups, and conservation groups have worked together to protect the LPC and protect their other individual interests. When you look at the details of the interactions, what you see is the folks that are in the areas where LPC's have existed pretty much all seem to truly have some level of true concern about the species and habitat. But, what you also see is that as you move out to state capitols, and then further to Washington D.C. where politics and lobbying groups exert their influence is where the process has trouble. If you put local oil and gas folks, farmers & ranchers, local representatives of the Nature Conservancy and such around a table working on solutions, they make progress. When lobbyists and bureaucrats insert their input, things don't go as well. So, it's important to get involved in these types of efforts and to let your opinion be heard - whatever it is. The opinions of individuals do matter in these things, even though we are often led to believe otherwise. To read more about the LPC and efforts to conserve them, here's a good starting point through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/News/Weekly-News/3-18-22-Aerial-Surveys-to-Document-Lesser-Prairie-Chicken-Population-Trends/Aerial-Surveys-to-Document-Lesser-Prairie-Chicken-Population-Trends

The Spring turkey se ason is right around the corner now. Can you believe it? The season will come in two portions...first, the youth season will give kids a chance On April 9th and 10th, and then the regular season comes along on April 18th and runs through May 8th. I am really looking forward to spending some Spring mornings out in the woods. One thing that is really cool, is the mentored hunts that the Missouri Department of Conservation sponsors. The specific version below is in Boone County. It is a reality that fewer kids are getting introduced to the outdoo rs these days, and that is even more true for hunting. For any of us that hunt turkey, we know that successful harvest depends on a deep understanding of the natural environment, so we at Family-Outdoors really celebrate these kind of programs! MDC to offer men tored turkey hunt for first-time youth hunters in Boone County Youth ages 11–15 can submit an application to participate in this opportunity. ASHLAND, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites new youth turkey hunters to apply for a mentored hunt April 9–10 in Boone County. Participants will learn abou t wild turkey biology and habitat, hunting safety, use of camouflage, ammunition and firearm selection, how to properly pattern a shotgun, how to improve hunting and shooting skills, as well as calling, regulations, and methods. To apply for this mentored hunt, participants must register no later than March 18 by contacting MDC Conservation Educator Ashley Edwards at Ashley.Edwards@mdc.mo.gov, or (573) 815-7901, ext. 2926. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Participants who have not completed their hunter education certification are still eligible for this hunt. Youth hunters must be 11-15 years old at the time of the hunt, must have never Telechecked a turkey, and must be accompanied by an adult. Experienced hunters will be provided to mentor both youth and adult parties on the hunt. MDC will provide firearms and ammunition, but participants are welcome to bring their own cased and unloaded firearms if they so choose. No reload ammunition will be permitted. MDC Discover Nature programs, such as this mentored hunt, aim to help Missourians explore nature and master outdoor skills together. To learn more about other Discover Nature programs, visit nature.mdc.mo.gov/. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish.

Want to see more wildlife on private land that you own or manage? Here's an opportunity for folks on the eastern side of the Show-Me state to get a head start on attracting more deer, turkey, and other wildlife. The MDC does such a great job with these educational programs and it's a win for everyone! What does this have to do with our mission at Family-Outdoors you might wonder. Well, the whole idea of experiencing the outdoors is to have an environment in which the natural environment can thrive. MDC certainly has the ability to manage the public land they oversee to promote these ideas, but that land (in fact all public land in total in Missouri) represents just a small percentage of all the acreage in the state. We all have to work together to make our state great for nature, wildlife, and people. Plus, it increases the value of private land. For additional information about hunting, fishing, and other outdoor endeavors, you will find great information across the site here at Family-Outdoors. Jay Henges Shooting Range to host Setting Up Food Plots for Year Round Wildlife program March 8 Learn what, when and how to plant to attract a large diversity of wildlife on your property. EUREKA, Mo.—To paraphrase a famous line from the 1989 film, Field of Dreams, “If you plant it, they will come.” Hunters and wildlife watchers can create a field on their property that will attract the deer, gamebirds, and wildlife of their dreams. All it takes is some basic knowledge of how to create a viable food plot. The Missouri Department od Conservation’s (MDC) Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center will host Setting Up Food Plots for Year Round Wildlife, Tuesday, March 8 from 6- 8 p.m. The program is free and open to all ages. It’s an opportunity to prepare for the coming spring food plot planting season. The guest presenter will be Chris Grellner from the Valley Park Elevator, who will take the mystery out of how, when and what to plant for food plots. Grellner will cover what to consider when determining a good food plot site, along with the best times of year to prep and seed the site. Attendees will learn the benefits of each crop option, like rye, clover, oats, wheat, and beans. Grellner will also talk about the importance of testing the soil and what the sample results indicate. Should you use lime or fertilizers? What about overseeding and using clover? These are some of the other topics Grellner will address. Finally, the presentation will focus on the equipment needed to complete the job, and the pros and cons of renting versus buying it. Grellner will also have related products to show. At the conclusion, he will be available for questions and discussion. Setting Up Food Plots for Year Round Wildlife is a free program, but advanced online registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/446. The Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is at 1100 Antire Road, just off I-44, exit 269 in Eureka. MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate. 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. Stay informed of MDC latest programs by going to the MDC St. Louis regional events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.

There are a few different days on the calendars of many Missouri outdoors women, men, and families. I guess you'd have to put opening day of the firearms deer season at the very top, but the start of "catch-and-keep" trout season at the Missouri Trout Parks isn't far behind. It's a day that marks the very early beginnings of Spring, and is a yearly ritual for many Missouri families. Today could not have been more perfect. It started off with a bite in the air - kind of like it should be. But as the sun rose over the horizon the Trout Park sirens blared (along with ceremonial first day canon blasts) and the trout fishermen of all stripes tossed out every form of offering you might imagine trout devouring...and some that had me scratching my head. I even saw some minnow buckets - I'd heard of minnows being used at the parks, but had never actually seen it. But what I loved was seeing all the kids with parents and grandparents. In fact, by a sizable margin, as of mid-morning the biggest fish landed and weighed at Montauk was caught by a young man under 12 (I just missed him at the lodge weigh in area so I didn't get his actual age). That fish weighed in at 8 lbs., 2 ox. I had the pleasure of visiting with a couple of families that had their kids down at Montauk, and both said that it was a family tradition. The parents said they had were brought down to Opening Day by their parents, and one of the families said the grandparents were over at what's known as the "Social Hole." The kids listened to the parents with pride and I envisioned them in turn, carrying on the tradition with their kids. Every family member seemed to have a stringer with fish. For both of these families the fish were all stocker size (12'' or so), but they could not have been more pleased. As crazy as it is when that horn sounds on March 1st, if you decide to adopt the Opening Day tradition in your family, there's plenty of room to be had. Many of the pictures you see exaggerate how crowded it is by showing the spots that are crowded and not the ones with plenty of elbow room. So, even though you may have missed it this year, the season will now be open for quite awhile and some great fishing awaits you at any of the parks. And next year, maybe put March 1st on your calendar for opening day for you and your family. Find more info to help you get started at Missouri Trout Parks

Speaking for myself, the last couple of years have presented "challenges." However you look at things, it'd be hard to imagine that there is anyone who can't say that. How are you dealing with them? Even more, how did you deal with them before the world got so weird? There are a lot of coping mechanisms we can use and we've tried a lot of them collectively. I am making the case here today that one piece of the puzzle for mental health is the outdoors. I could have guessed this to be the case going back to my childhood...when things got ugly at home, where did I want to go? Outside. A walk through the woods...maybe just sitting under a tree looking at the clouds go by, made me feel like in the context of this big world, maybe problems were not so overwhelming. It worked for me then, and it works for me now. It requires some effort sometimes. There are days where I feel drained and the last thing that appeals to me is to go do something. But, I have experienced this enough to know that it's the times when I want to do it the least that I need it the most...so I go. The combination of the surroundings and physical exertion is therapy that money cannot buy. Which brings me to a due diligence statement...I do not think this is a panacea that will fully cure every ill. I am positive that it can help anyone, but that for some, other interventions like therapy from medication or a counselor is also required or helpful. Give it a try if you don't use this free option already. Let us know what you do that is making a difference.

This morning, I am seeing a few things that Missouri outdoors men and women might be interested in. After a bunch of days of rain following super hot weather, thinking about Fall deer hunting might be in order, so let's start with that. Missouri Managed Deer Hunts Starting July 1, you can apply for Missouri managed deer hunts. If you are new to deer hunting in Missouri, these are special hunts for which you'd not be allowed to hunt unless you have applied and been chosen. There are regularly scheduled seasons separate from these. General hunting info is at mdc.mo.gov. These hunts run from September through I believe, January. Information on these can be found at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. You have until July 31 to get in your applications and results are announced in mid-August. Educational Opportunities If you like learning about the outdoors, here are some upcoming classes: Fish Identification at Powder Valley...St. Louis County...July 14 between 1:30 and 2:30 pm...Two options for class...Virtual: https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHH or In-person: https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHV Conservation Kids Explore the Outdoors at Runge Outdoor Center...Jeff City area...variety of dates...July 2 — Creek Crawl — mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178214;July 9 — Archery — mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178219;July 23 — Fishing Fun — mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178221;July 30 — Kayaking Basics — mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178225. Discover Nature: Night Hike at Runge...Thursday, July 8, 8–9:30 p.m. — all ages...Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178228. Design with Nature: Rainbow Trout Watercolor at Runge...Saturday, July 10, 9:30 a.m.–noon — ages 18+...Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178232 Kayaking: Finger Lakes State Park...thru Runge...Wednesday, July 14, 5:30–8 p.m. — ages 12+...Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178235 Outdoor Skills: Frog Gigging...Runge...Friday, July 30, 1–11 p.m. — ages 8+...Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178239. West Plains Kayaking Workshops...2 in July...more information by emailing William.Mills@mdc.mo.gov. Columbia Kayaking Workshops...2 in July as well...mor info by emailing Sam.Stewart@mdc.mo.gov Joplin region lecrures on the uniqueness of prairies...July 6 and July 7...July 6 in person and July 7, virtual...registration for in-person 7/6 event-https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178285...registration for 7/7 virtual event-https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178282 Mountain Biking Opportunities in Mid-MO First, MDC wants people to remember... Always bike safely on Missouri trails: Make a plan and tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. Wear a helmet. Stay on the trail. Use caution, manage speed, and anticipate trail obstructions. Share the trail, announce when passing hikers, horse riders, and other trail users. Prepare for bike repairs and other emergencies; pack food, water, sanitizer, lights, and anything else you may need if your trip takes longer than planned. Maintain physical distancing, wear a mask when appropriate, protect yourself and others from disease by following health guidelines while on the trail, and while traveling to- and from your destination MDC allows bicycles on conservation area roads and trails open to vehicle traffic, and on designated trails, except where posted. Conservation areas offer plenty of mountain biking opportunities across central Missouri, just a short drive from home. Learn more about these, and other mountain biking opportunities at nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places, and download the MO Outdoors App for mobile devices. MDC Conservation areas allowing MTB riding: Little Dixie Lake Conservation Area Three Creeks Conservation Area Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area Hart Creek Conservation Area Binder Park