ForestKeeper Workshops

Summer 2024 Opportunities

ForestKeeper Fall Field tour: Shoal Creek Planting and Restoration Site

Saturday, October 26th, 2024, 11:00 am- 3:00pm

Begin the day by helping finish up a 600+ tree native planting, then head to a Missouri Forest Health recap over lunch, and finish off the day with a tour that highlights the work Core partners Land Learning Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Riverlaw.Org, Midwest Waters Initiative, and Missouri Stream Teams, are working to restore aquatic ecosystems & protect water quality. Full agenda coming soon!

email ellen@moreleaf.org to RSVP

MU Center for Agroforestry’s Chestnut Roast Festival
Saturday, October 19th, 2024, 10:00 am- 3:00pm
Location: MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm, 10 Research Center Road, New Franklin, MO 65274
Returning after a brief hiatus in 2023, this fall festival is a both celebration of perennial agriculture in the lower midwest and a chance to sample the fruits of agroforestry in our region and beyond. This year, the event will feature vendors, exhibitors, presenters, and hands-on demonstrations that highlight tree crops and agroforestry in all its forms.
 

Upcoming MDC Classes

On the Road to Maple woods

Thursday, October 17th, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Location: Virtual

Native Plants at Noon takes a second look at Gladstone’s mature maple/oak forest to see how it’s progressed since our visit in the spring. Learn from Chuck Conner, Community Forester, with the Missouri Department of Conservation on the best practices for invasive tree and shrub removal for the fall season. This program is in partnership with Deep Roots KC.

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/native-plants-at-noon

Nature Art: Bag of Leaves

Saturday, October 26th, 10:00 AM- 11:30 PM

Saturday, October 26th, 11:30 AM -12:30 PM

Saturday, October 26th, 1:30 PM -2:30 PM

Location: Anita B Gorman Discovery Center

Fabric printing with natural objects is easy and can be a fun, creative outlet for those of us that aren’t that artsy. We’ll introduce you to some favorite fall native trees, while collecting leaves on a short hike around the Discovery Center landscape. Back inside, we’ll help you create a colorful fall tote bag using textile ink and our collected leaves. 

Registration required- click the time frame to reach the MDC site

 

Picking Perfect Persimmons
Date: Sunday, October 13th, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: St. Louis Regional Office/Busch Memorial CA
 
Peruse the MDC persimmon patch and look for the perfect persimmons to pick and try! If you’ve ever tried an unripe persimmon, you know how important is to pick them when they’re just right. In this program, we will learn how to identify Persimmon trees and how to tell when the fruit is ripe. We will also be doing some basic outdoor cooking in our Dutch Ovens, making a tasty apple-persimmon dessert! While we wait for our dish to cook, we will talk about some basic rules of foraging and learn more about what kind of wild edibles are currently in season in Missouri.
 
 
 

Landowner Workshops

Woodland and Glade Management Workshop

Friday, October 11th, 9:30 AM-1:00 PM

Location: Painted Rock Conservation Area

Join the Missouri Department of Conservation for an informative workshop on Woodland and Glade Management designed specifically for Missouri landowners. This workshop will cover essential techniques for managing and restoring woodlands and glades, such as prescribed burning, cedar removal, promoting native plant species, and more. Participants will learn how to enhance wildlife habitats, improve biodiversity, and maintain the ecological health of their properties.

Whether you’re dealing with overgrown woodlands or looking to restore a glade, this workshop will provide insights and practical advice from MDC experts.

Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)

 

Lunch & Learn: Invasive Honeysuckle ID and Management

Thursday October 3rd, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Virtual Event

Join private land conservationists from the Missouri Department of Conservation and local landowners as they tell their story of managing non-native invasive shrub honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Learn the challenges and successes in this educational episode as well as how to manage invasive species in your own landscape. This program is in partnership with Deep Roots KC.

Registration required by visiting https://deeproots.org/seasonal-webinars/

 

Landowner Timber Sale Workshop

Friday, October 25th 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Location: Saline Valley Conservation Area

Are you interested in learning more about sustainable timber harvests on your property?

Join the Missouri Department of Conservation for an informative landowner workshop focused on sustainable timber harvesting. This event will cover essential topics such as best management practices, wildlife habitat considerations, and effective harvest methods. Participants will also have the opportunity to see a portable sawmill demonstration and explore recently harvested areas. Whether you’re planning a timber sale or looking to enhance your knowledge, this workshop is designed to provide valuable insights and practical guidance.

Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)

Prescribed Burn Workshops

Locations (Click for registration)

Saturday, September 21st, 9:00 am- 12:30 pm at Schell-Osage Conservation Area

Thursday, September 26th, 1:00 pm -4:00 pm at Carlton House in the Poosey Conservation Area

Wednesday, October 9th, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area

Friday, November 8th,  9:30-2:30 pm at Prairie Star Restoration Farm

Thursday December 5th, 6:00 pm -9:00 pm at NCMC Barton Campus

Friday, December 6th, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center

Saturday December 14th, 9:00 am – 11:00 am at MDC North East Regional Office

Prescribed burning can be a valuable tool for managing native plant diversity and controlling undesirable vegetation, but it can be dangerous and ineffective when not used properly. This workshop will provide basic information about how to plan and execute a prescribed burn for grassland management.

Upon registration, participants will be emailed a link to the virtual/online portion of the prescribed burn course. The online course is a mandatory prerequisite which requires a $25.00 fee to a third-party host (not MDC). Registrants will need to successfully complete the online course and quiz to attend the field day event. Please bring your certificate of completion and mileage record. 

Other Opportunities: Take a Hike!

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Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Date: Wednesday October 16th, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Location: Runge Nature Center

Take a guided hike of the Quarry trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park wiht Nature Center Staff! the hike is 3.5 miles and moderate difficulty.

Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)

LaBarque Creek National Public Lands Day Hike

Saturday, September 28th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: LaBarque Creek Conservation Area

Take 3-mile hike thru the forests of the LaBarque Creek Conservation Area.

This area is known for its unique natural beauty and undisturbed habitat. This hike is rated as moderate to difficult due to elevation change. Dress for the weather. Bring water, snacks, and binoculars for bird viewing.

Register at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202413

Fall Colors Hike
Date: Tuesday, October 15th, 9:00 am –  10:00 am
Location: Emmenegger Nature Park
The leaves, they are a-changin’. Come take a walk through the fall colors at Emmenegger Nature Park with an MDC Naturalist. Hear about the fascinating process of why leaves on trees change and learn about the many other ways that plants and animals get ready for the upcoming season changes. This hike will take place on the Bluff Creek trail on the long loop, which measures to be about 2 miles long. 
 

Fall Birdwatching Hike

Date: Wednesday, September 18th, 8:30 am- 10:00 am
Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Fall at Rockwoods Reservation is peak season for birding. We will walk the forest edge to the Rock Quarry Trail, observing birds by sight and sound. We are likely to find vireos, warblers and many more species. The hike is 2 miles long on a trail mostly covered in gravel or mulch. There are two fairly steep stairways going up the foothill and three going down, with a mostly flat trail along the ridge.

This walk is open to anyone who enjoys birds, all experience levels are welcome. Bring your own binoculars or use one of ours.

Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)

Date: Saturday, October 5th,  4:00 pm -5:00 pm
Location: Claire Gempp Davidson Memorial Wildlife Area
Honeysuckle, stiltgrass, and goldfish, oh my! Take a .6-mile walk around Claire Gempp Memorial Conservation Area with an MDC Naturalist to get familiar with common St. Louis area invasive species. See how these species, both plant and animal, affect this conservation area, and learn what we’re doing to put a stop to them.