AREA OUTDOORS CALENDAR
THIS WEEK
JULY 13: Fish Fest – 6-7:30 p.m. for families with children ages 5 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Enjoy games, fishing, and dip netting at our educational pond. Learn about the different kinds of sport fish in Missouri and basic fishing techniques to enhance your next fishing experience. Equipment and worms provided. Attendees age 16-64 must have a valid fishing license. Sunscreen and bug spray is recommended. Dress for the weather. Call 816-228-3766 to register.
JULY 15: Wild Ones: Purslane Garden Tour – 8:30-11 a.m. for ages 20 and older. Visit a family owned vegetable produce garden on Missouri River bottom land to locate purslane growing in the wild. This little native plant is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, imperative for good health. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Blue Mills School on Blue Mills Road. Call the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center for directions. Call 816-228-3766 to register.
COMING UP
JULY 22: Young at Heart: The Woman Caver – 2-3:30 p.m. for ages 55 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Venture underground with Missouri’s first woman caver, Luella Agnes Owens, a St. Joseph native. Learn about the history of cave exploration in our state and learn about what it is like to explore caves today. Call 816-228-3766 to register.
JULY 23: Green Acres: Conservation Management – 6:30-8:30 p.m. for ages 20 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Urban Forester Chuck Conner and Wildlife Management Biologist Rick Bredesen will provide information on caring for your land from 3 to 30 acres. Topics covered will include attracting wildlife to your acreage; tree and shrub planting for landscaping and wildlife value; identification and control of common invasive species; and woodland management. The course is free, but deadline to register is July 16. Call 816-228-3766 to register.
JULY 23: Bird Watchers: North 400 Acres – 8:30-10 a.m. for ages 20 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. From beginners to advanced, all birding levels are welcomed. This month explore the remote north 400 acres. Meet in the parking lot off Strode Road. Please call 816-228-3766 to register and for directions.
JULY 24: Young Friends of Nature: Catch A Whopper – 6-8 p.m. for ages 13-17 at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Spend the evening with other teenagers at the Burr Oak Woods educational pond, learning all there is to know about fishing in Missouri with a Jeopardy-style game, and enjoying catch-and-release fishing. Teams chosen by staff will compete in a multi–station relay for a special prize. Participants ages 16-17 must have a valid Missouri fishing license in order to fish during the program. Sunscreen and bug spray recommended. Please dress for the weather. Call 816-228-3766 to register.
JULY 27: Naturalist On Call: Pesky Flying Things – 12:30-2:30 p.m. for all ages at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Join a naturalist for an informal discussion about annoying flying insects and their importance. Flies, bees, and wasps can interrupt a picnic, but they are reasons they are needed. A naturalist will be located outside near one of the gardens. No registration required. Call 816-228-3766 for more information.
AUG. 1: Friday Night Live: Frog Festival – 6-9 p.m. for all ages at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Learn about the importance of amphibians to the ecosystem. Frog Festival activities include walking the 5K Frog Hop. Burr Oaks asks that participants form teams of five and that each person contributes at least $5 ($25 per team) to Amphibian Ark, a global conservation response to the crisis aimed at generating awareness, education, and support for local as well as global amphibian conservation initiatives. For more information about the Year of the Frog and Amphibian Ark, go to www.amphibianark.org. Contact the Nature Center at 816-228-3766 for additional information to participate in the 5K Frog Hop.
ONGOING
RAYTOWN BASS CLUB: Local fishing club is seeking new members. For more information, call Dennis Mitchell at 913-787-5810 or visit the www.raytownbassclub.net Web site.
BURR OAKS FEEDING TIME: 3 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Help feed the animals on display at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. No registration is required. Please call 816-228-3766 for more information.
LAKE CITY SHOOTING HOURS: Hours for public shooting are Wednesday through Sunday at Lake City Range and Training Center near Blue Springs. Shooters are required to provide own eye and ear protection. Booth fees are $3 per hour. 229-4448.
MISSOURI BOW HUNTERS ASSOCIATION: Organization dedicated to bow hunting, bow fishing and archery in the area and the state. For more information on the organization and how to join, call or write Dave Williams 816-578-4966, 69 V Street, Lake Lotawana, Mo. 64086) or Jeff Burnett (816-690-8105, 816 SE 19th Street, Oak Grove, Mo. 64075).
MISSOURI DEER HUNTERS CLUB: For more information on the organization and how to join, call 636-285-0893; write to P.O. Box 441, Dittmer, Mo. 63023; send e-mail to: deerhunt@brick.net; or visit the Web site at: ww.modeerhunter.com.
