Spotlight

IS THERE A LITTLE ORANGE FLAG IN YOUR YARD?  OR MAYBE SOME ORANGE PAINT MARKINGS?

If there are flags or markings in or on your yard or near your yard, it means somebody – a neighbor or someone planning to do construction work near your yard – has called Missouri One Call Systems to have all nearby utilities located.  When someone is going to dig up the ground for any reason, they are required to locate utilities first.  The company that locates the utilities will come out and mark with paint all the utility locations in the vicinity so that whoever is digging will not dig up a utility line.  Now you can find out what’s going on simply and easily.

Missouri One-Call Systems (MOCS) has added a helpful feature to their Website – the ability to research utility-locating work by area.  “Ticket Search” gives the general public the ability to obtain information about utility-locate work being done in their area, who’s digging in a specific area, and what they are doing.  Users can search by ticket number, if they have one, or they can define the search using other criteria such as date, address, excavator name, etc.  Click here to go directly to the "Ticket Search" page.

Youth and adults alike enjoy fishing at Walker Lake in Kirkwood Park.

Parks & Recreation

 

Outdoor Programs

Contact Ranger Ron for information about upcoming Star Gazing opportunities as well as other Park Programs. Call 314-822-5855 or e-mail: hallrf@kirkwoodmo.org

Youth Fishing Lessons                                  Ages 7-15
Learn the basics of fishing at Simpson Lake. Children will learn how to tie knots, identify a variety of fish species and rig fishing poles for a safe and successful fishing experience. Meet at Blue Heron Shelter parking lot. Fishing gear is provided. Advance Reservations required.   
Mon. or Wed.       5:00-7:00 p.m.     M1: 4/16       M2: 4/23     T1: 5/9     T2: 5/16
R&NR $5                                    
Simpson Park, St. Louis County
To register call 314-615-8472

(Above Photo) Exploring Fall Wildflowers, Leader George Yatskievych

 

Spring Wildflower Walks                                                     All Ages
Shake off winter and enjoy the first blooms of spring! Emmenegger Nature Park comes alive with an abundance of extraordinary “spring ephemeral” wildflowers. Experienced naturalists will guide you in the enjoyment and identification of these natural wonders as they come into bloom.  Bring weather-appropriate gear, camera, notebook or field guides. Rain or shine.
Sat. 10 a.m.:  3/31     4/7     4/14     4/21                    No Charge!
Meet at the trailhead pavilion, Emmenegger Nature Park.

Butterfly Gardening with Tom Terrific!                      Ages 10+
Join Tom Terrific as he shows you how to attract butterflies to your yard. Tom will talk about site selection and preparation, host and nectar plants, pesticides, native plants, everything you need to know to create a butterfly paradise.  After the program you are invited to tour Tom’s butterfly gardens in Crestwood to see more than 200 butterfly plant species that he grows.
Sat. 10 a.m.      4/14                                                 No Charge!
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Area.
Reservations required, Call: (314) 301-1500.

Invasive Plants: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly      All Ages
Can you tell poison ivy from fragrant sumac? What vines are harmful to trees? Do domestic invasive plants affect natural areas? Learn Identification and control methods for various “problem plants” common to both parks and your backyard. Bring weather-appropriate gear, camera, notebook or field guides. Rain or shine.
Sat. 10 a.m.     5/5                                                    No Charge!
Meet at the trailhead pavilion, Emmenegger Nature Park.

Seasons of Birds: Migration and Nesting                     All Ages
On this date in mid-May, spring migration of neotropical species is well underway. See what birds use our Nature Park as a stop-over on their way to their breeding grounds further north, as well as the species that are now arriving that will spend the summer nesting in our area. Wear walking shoes and bring binoculars. Rain or shine.
Sat. 10 a.m.     5/19                                                  No Charge!
Meet at the trailhead pavilion, Emmenegger Nature Park.

Butterflies on the Wing                                                      All Ages
Join the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) on a butterfly walk. Learn to identify butterflies by using field marks such as color, size, shape, and wing pattern. We will also learn about the special relationship of butterflies to their caterpillar food plants. Bring camera, field guide, binoculars. NABA does not collect so please plan to enjoy butterflies as living creatures by observation and photography only.  Weather dependent.
Sat.   9-11 a.m.                 6/9                                   No Charge!
Meet at trailhead pavilion, Emmenegger Nature Park

 

What's That Mushroom?                 All Ages

Beyond Missouri's fascinating plants and animals, another wonderful kingdom awaits you!  Join the Missouri Mycological Society for a mushroom walk at Emmeneger Nature Park.  You'll learn to identify mushrooms as we come across them along the wooded trails.  Wear walking shoes, bring a camera, notebook, or guide book. Rain or shine.

Sat.   10 am           5/12  No Charge!

Meet at trailhead pavilion, Emmenegger Nature Park