Springfield Nature Center to celebrate 20th anniversary

The Springfield Nature Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary. An open house is scheduled for the Nature Center Friday, Oct. 3, and a primitive skills workshop is Sunday, Oct. 5.

Bald eagle, barn owl removed from MO endangered species list

After years of conservation efforts, populations of the bald eagle, barn owl and western fox snake have improved to the point they could be removed from Missouri's endangered species list.

The bald eagle was removed from the federal endangered and threatened species lists in June 2007.

To see bald eagles this winter, make plans to visit an Eagle Days event. For more on the bald eagle in Missouri, click here. For a bald eagle video, click here. Hear the call of the bald eagle here.

The barn owl prefers open, grassy habitats.

The western fox snake prefers areas where native prairie adjoins marshland. It also is found in wooded areas and cropland near streams or marshes.

Natural Events wall calendar available

Thanks to the talents of contributing nature photographers, you’ll be able to enjoy wild Missouri indoors when you can’t get outdoors.

The 2009 Natural Events wall calendar from Missouri Department of Conservation keeps you in touch with the year’s seasonal changes. You’ll find monthly reminders of the state’s natural treasures. Daily notes keep you posted on what’s blooming or nesting and myriad other natural phenomena.

For instance, did you know that around this time of year fawns lose their spots? Or that persimmons start to ripen? This calendar will point the way to outdoor fun for the whole family.
The 10 x 14 inch calendar is $7.00 plus applicable tax and shipping. Visit our online Nature Shop to order.

Conservation calendar: Hickory nuts ripen and fall

While many of us associate hickory with savory, smoky barbeque, there is more to this tree than its wood.

About this time of year, Missourians should begin to notice hickory nuts ripening, then falling to the ground. Squirrels, turkeys and ducks all feed on the nuts, which are often preferred over acorns.

As for human consumption, the nuts may be used in nut breads, pies, cookies or any recipe calling for nuts. According to "Wild Edibles of Missouri", they are particularly good in a cookie recipe called sandies.

Hickories are divided into two major groups: the pecan hickories and the true hickories.

Learn more about the hickory tree and its nuts here.

Deer harvest: St. Louis County closes in on Jackson County

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, Jackson County retains its lead in the early deer harvest.

However, at 101 deer taken, Jackson County is ahead of St. Louis County by only one deer.

To see a county-by-county rundown, you have two options:

1. Visit the state Telecheck map page. Drag your mouse over a county, click on the county to pull up detailed information, including a breakdown of antlered buck vs. button buck vs. doe.
2. Visit the county compilation page, where county harvests are located.

We will continue updating these numbers several times hourly over the course of deer season.