Powder Valley Nature Center celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. It would be disingenuous for me to say, I can’t believe it’s been around that long, because coincidentally, we have a daughter who is 35 years old this year, and she has been enjoying the “special place” since she was very little. The state DepartmentContinue reading “Nature center celebrates 35 years with passport program”
Tag Archives: hiking
Funding for state parks on crowded August ballot
The August primary election is more than a month away, and I am already sick and tired of the television advertising. The ballot includes multiple issues, and big spenders are flooding the airwaves with relentless mischaracterizations for and against the proposals. At the very least, the deluge could discourage voter participation. Who wants to beContinue reading “Funding for state parks on crowded August ballot”
Rail-to-trails organization celebrates 40 years of success today
All conversations about rails-to-trails conversions in our state begin with the story of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad corridor. The MKT rail line property is now the 240-mile Katy Trail State Park from near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to Clinton, southeast of Kansas City. Acknowledged since 2008 by the national Rails To TrailsContinue reading “Rail-to-trails organization celebrates 40 years of success today”
Swans and eagles attract attention in January
Visiting the Audubon Center at Riverlands can be a treat any time of the year, but the winter holds the allure of special avian guests and regular events to increase the opportunity and understanding of those big American birds. Bald eagles bring out scores of bird watchers as open water areas north of Missouri freezeContinue reading “Swans and eagles attract attention in January”
Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks
Thanks to alert Leader reader Karen Wenzel, I can correct this information for “Don’t Call Me Outdoor John.” My photo is tagged in my computer file as “created on Jan. 1. 2004,” but when Karen saw the picture in the paper, she new it was 2014 when I made my first, First Day Hike atContinue reading “Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks”
Walk in the park to highlight “Benefits of Nature”
“You know where Knob Noster State Park is, don’t you?” a friend asked me earlier this week. “Just east of Warrensburg,” I replied confidently. I take pride in being able to identify and locate public places throughout Missouri where you can get out and enjoy the outdoors. I have visited more than half of theContinue reading “Walk in the park to highlight “Benefits of Nature””
Operation Clean Stream continues its work this weekend
For nearly six decades the Open Space Council has been taking to the rivers and creeks around St. Louis to fight the effects of flooding, illegal dumping and careless littering with an army of thousands of dedicated volunteers. More are always welcome. On Saturday, Aug. 23, participants in the 58th annual Operation Clean Stream willContinue reading “Operation Clean Stream continues its work this weekend”
Mandatory CWD sampling moves out of Jefferson County for this year
For the first time in a decade, deer hunters in Jefferson County will not be required to take their harvests to a chronic wasting disease sampling station on opening weekend this year. Since the disease was first discovered in Franklin County in 2015, the state Department of Conservation has mandated testing in Jefferson on theContinue reading “Mandatory CWD sampling moves out of Jefferson County for this year”
State offers free online session about black bears in Missouri
The chances for a bear encounter in Jefferson County for this year diminishes as summer fully sets in and the wandering young bruins of spring are settling into the more comfortable environs in the rural areas of the southern Missouri Ozarks. Even if we have already missed the opportunity have a black bear close toContinue reading “State offers free online session about black bears in Missouri”
Ten (or so) places to take the kids for summer adventures and learning
A friend of ours asked for recommendations for local places to take her children during their summer vacation. She planned to visit one new location each week for the kids to explore and learn. I thought it was a great idea, so I assembled my ten best suggestions. She did not put any restrictions onContinue reading “Ten (or so) places to take the kids for summer adventures and learning”
Don't Call Me Outdoor John 