Forest Keeper Workshops
Summer 2024 Opportunities
Join like-minded professionals and environmentalists working towards clean air, pure water, and renewed earth at the biannual Forrest Keeling field day, featuring Nationally acclaimed speakers like MDC director Sara Parker Pauley, Production tours of the nursery, a Farm-to-table luncheon, and Multi-track morning and afternoon breakouts on nature-based solutions for livable environments including urban forestry concepts, soil remediation, and reversing the tide of invasive species.
Upcoming MDC Classes
Walks in the Woods
Urban Hike: Cemetary Stroll
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 6:00 pm- 7:30 pm
Registration required (adults) Grab your walking shoes and get ready for a leisurely stroll through the tree lined streets of Calvary, Forest Hill and Rose Hill cemeteries. Covering roughly two miles, this slow-paced hike will utilize cemetery roads and some sidewalks as we discover the beautiful trees of the area. During the hike we will discuss native and non-native trees and the threats to them, wildlife that rely on trees, hiking safety and other great urban hikes.
Missouri Tree ID at Boone County Nature School
Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 8:00 am-10:30
Location: Boone County Nature School
Hackberry or hickory? Pawpaw or persimmon? Join a naturalist at the Boone County Nature School in Columbia to learn more about some of Missouri’s most common tree species. Participants will learn tips and tricks to identify these silent sentinels and put their skills to the test on a guided hike! Bring a water bottle and prepare to be outside.
Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)
Featured Speaker- Scott Woodbury on Planting Native
Date: Friday, June 28th, 2024 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Powder Valley
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.
Register at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/197192
Urban Trees and Wildlife
Date: Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Join our Community Forester, Urban Wildlife Biologist and Missouri River Bird Observatory to learn more about Kansas City’s tree and wildlife species. We will start in a classroom and review our most common yard and street tree species, common tree problems, tree resources, species to plant, and urban wildlife basics. Second half of the program will include birdwatching and tree identification tour.
Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)
Prescribed Burn Workshops
Locations (Click for registration)
Thursday, July 11, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Pony Express Conservation Area
Saturday July 20th, 8:00 am – 12:30 pm at Monroe County Extension Office
Thursday, September 26th, 1:00 pm -4:00 pm at Carlton House in the Poosey Conservation Area
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
Summer Wild Edibles
Immerse yourself in the Tastes and Sights of Summer at Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie. Cydney Ross, Outdoor Education Manager of Deep Roots, will share how native prairie and grassland plants were traditionally used for dyes and inks. We will also sample some tasty wild edible prairie plants.
In addition, MDC biologists will be available to discuss ways to create wildlife friendly plantings on your property, using many of the edible natives we are discussing.
Come prepared to spend the day outdoors. Bring along a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and appropriate footwear. A camp chair or blanket to sit on is a must.
Additional topics throughout the day will include, prairie and grassland animals, ecology, plant identification, and seasonal phenology changes.
Register at Events | Missouri Department of Conservation (s3licensing.com)
