Events

Welcome Summertime with a guided public tour of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery! Join a Naturalist to learn the difference between the Rainbow and Brown Trout raised at the hatchery, then visit the raceways and discover the amazing trout-raising process! And for just a quarter, you can feed the fish, too! Tours will meet at the large trout aquarium inside the Conservation Education Center.

Tours will be held four times daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning May 26th and continuing through Friday, September 4th. (The Hatchery will be closed for state holidays on June 19th and July 4th.)

All ages are invited, and no registration is required. For questions, call us at 417-334-4865 ext. 0, or email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov.

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the nature center’s amphibians, fish, and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (June 10 & 24).

Nature printmaking is the art of creating lifelike images on paper or fabric with found objects from nature. MDC Naturalist Pat Whalen exhibits nature prints from his personal work and programs he presents at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. His prints will be on display in the west wing hallway through August. 

After finding painted rocks around Jefferson City, Janet Bonnot joined the JC Rocks movement in 2018. Her nature-inspired rock work is on display in the west wing hallway through June. No registration required. All ages

Columbia Missouri Artist Christine Doerr’s art is inspired by a lifetime shaped by nature, travel, and service, from the Ozarks to the Mediterranean. Rooted in the landscapes of Gans Creek, it highlights both beauty and its environmental vulnerability. Her art will be on display in the lobby through June.

Read a picture book as you walk along the Nature Center trails. The StoryWalk®, available June 17-30, is provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Library. All ages. No registration required.

Splash on in for some summer outdoor fun! This free, one-day camp will be full of adventure as we dive into Missouri’s aquatic habitats. A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child must only register for one camp day per year. Your outdoor adventure awaits!

Step off the shoreline and into an evening of discovery as we paddle through the quieter corners of Ashland Lake. This outing is designed for adults who already feel comfortable in a kayak and want to explore the lake’s wildlife, shoreline, and shifting light at a slower, more intentional pace. Expect an easygoing paddle, plenty of nature interpretation, and a chance to watch the lake come alive as the daylight fades. All equipment will be provided but no transportation will be included. Participants will meet at Ashland Lake (3 miles east of Ashland). An email with more details will be sent to participants before the program.

Registration required (ages 16+) Start your day with a 60-minute vinyasa yoga session followed by a relaxing stroll through the native plant gardens with Discovery Center staff. You are sure to walk away refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Presented in partnership with SHINE With Joy Foundation and Corepower Yoga KC. Participants are encouraged to bring a mat, towel and water. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Join us at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors, while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region! At Columbia Bottom we will explore the ever-favorite sunflower fields for some photography opportunities along with bird watching. We will also discuss the importance of bees and other pollinators and the reasons for these large sunflower plantings.

Later in the morning we will really get cooking…I mean really cooking, as we delve into the basics of cast iron Dutch oven cookware. How are Dutch ovens used? What can be made in a Dutch oven? As well as how are they cleaned and maintained? Together we will unravel the mystique of outdoor cooking as we prepare a fine meal for all to enjoy.

Please bring a camera or smart phone and binoculars for the sunflower fields. As for the Dutch oven, bring your interest and an appetite, the rest will be provided.

Please register each participant individually. We will meet at the main building near the entrance to Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series. We encourage you to participate in as many camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special sticker to commemorate each day they participate in throughout the summer, and all campers will be invited back for our Stargazing Sendoff at the end of the summer!

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Saturday, June 6th - August A. Busch Memorial CA

Saturday, June 13th - Rockwoods Reservation

Saturday, June 20th - August A. Busch Memorial CA

Saturday, June 27th – Columbia Bottom CA

Saturday, July 18th - Powder Valley Conservation NC

Saturday, August 1st -Tower Grove Park

Friday, August 7th- Stargazing Sendoff at Emmenegger Nature Park

Registration for all camp sessions begins May 1st at 7pm.