ForestKeeper Workshops

Fall 2025 Opportunities

Upcoming Classes

Dates: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
4750 Troost Ave
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 759-7300
Black walnut trees are a common sight here in our area, but turning these wild edibles into delicious recipes can be a tough nut to crack. Come learn about these unique-tasting nuts and how to process them, practice cracking a few nuts of your own, and take some home for all your Thanksgiving dessert-recipe needs.
 
Dates: Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area
Caldwell Drive
Washington, MO 63090
Improve your tree identification skills while enjoying a short, guided hike at Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area. Join MDC Forester Cody Bailey as he explores the unique identifying winter characteristics of more than 20 of Missouri’s most common tree species. Learn about the important benefits each provides to people as well as animals and habitat. Perfect for families, hikers, and nature lovers. Reserve your spot today and connect with the forest in a whole new way!
 
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center
1401 NW Park Rd
Blue Springs, MO 64015
(816) 228-3766

Enjoying nature without the kids is sometimes just what adults need! Learning more about Missouri’s unique natural areas also helps us conserve them. Paint at your own pace with watercolors and paper provided while sampling a selection of herbal teas made from wild plants (sumac, mint and mulberry). We’ll have inspiring photos of special landscapes in Missouri and some live animal models as well.

Date: January 27, 2026,  10:00am-11:30pm
 
Location:Rockwoods Reservation
2751 Glencoe rd
Wildwood, MO 63038
(636) 458-2236
Learn about tree identification and tapping, the history of maple sugaring, and how to turn sap into syrup. The entire program is outdoors, so please dress for the weather.
 
 

Landowner Workshops

Dates: Friday, November 7, 2025, 10:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Caldwell Memorial Wildlife Area
Caldwell Drive
Washington, MO 63090
Topics covered will help you understand what you can do as the landowner to enhance farm stewardship, increase wildlife habitat on Ag. Lands, and work with your lessee to make your farm more productive.
 
Dates: Thursday, December 18, 2025, 10:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Drive
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
Tree Pruning instructed by Tomithy Wolfe.
 

Prescribed Burn Workshops

Date: November 4, 2025 10:00am-3:00pm
Location: Shaw Nature Reserve
307 Pinetum Loop Road
Gray Summit, MO 63039
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.
Date: December 12, 2025 10:00am-3:00pm
Location:Jefferson County USDA Service Center
10820 Hwy 21, Ste. 200
Hillsboro, MO 63050

 

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.

Other Opportunities: Take a Hike!

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026  11:00 am – 12:30pm

Location:Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
11715 Cragwold Rd
Kirkwood, MO 63122
(314) 301-1500

Kick off the new year right with a hike! Meet one of the Powder Valley naturalists at the Hickory Ridge trailhead and embark on a hilly romp through our forest. Enjoy several educational stops to hear about some of the local wildlife that call the area home and learn about the benefits of what a hike can do for you. This hike will take place on the Hickory Ridge trail on the long loop, which measures to be about 1.3 miles long. Wear good walking shoes, dress for the weather, and be prepared for steep inclines and declines.

 
Date: Friday, December 19, 2025 1:00 pm – 2:30pm

Location: Rockwoods Reservation
2751 Glencoe rd
Wildwood, MO 63038
(636) 458-2236

Meet our naturalist at the Green Rock Trailhead for a social winter hike. You can park in the lot in front of the Visitor’s Center and walk back towards the bridge to find the trail. Hikes are steep but at a slow pace. This is a great opportunity to get outside and see nature at a different time of year than you might be used to! Even in winter, there is so much to enjoy and learn about in the woods. Hikes will take place in the cold or snow but will be canceled if temperatures are dangerously low. Dress and prepare for the weather. We will walk a portion of the trail before heading back. You can expect to be out for 1-1.5 hours depending on the temperature. All ages welcome!

Register at: Events | Missouri Department of Conservation

 
 

De'Nonna Jones

De’Nonna Jones graduated from Knox College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, driven by a commitment to environmental justice and community-based conservation. Since then, she has gained hands-on experience working across a range of green spaces throughout the St. Louis region, focusing on the care, restoration, and accessibility of urban natural areas. She began her journey at Tower Grove Park, where she developed a deep appreciation for public green spaces as vital community resources, before moving into a stewardship role with the Missouri Botanical Garden in partnership with Great Rivers Greenway. She now serves as the Stewardship Crew Coordinator at Forest ReLeaf. De’Nonna is passionate about creating inclusive pathways into environmental work and empowering tree lovers and emerging conservationists to see themselves as stewards of their communities. Through her work, she strives to strengthen connections between people, trees, and places in urban environments.

Jess Underwood
Finance & Operations Director

After 17 years in the non-profit and public sector, Jess remains committed to mission-driven work that tackles the challenges facing our communities. Their career began with a year of service as an Americorps St. Louis Emergency Response team member, responding to natural disasters and performing conservation projects. That foundation of service led to roles supporting the arts, affordable housing, mental health, and grassroots housing advocacy in St. Louis. During this journey Jess has worked to center the value “nothing about us, without us.” They do their best to ensure that the voices of people who have been marginalized guide the strategy and execution of work that honors their lived experiences. When they aren’t working, Jess is out paddling, hiking, working in their garden, or building something.