JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The weather may be changing, but there is still a lot to do in Missouri state parks and historic sites.
Wednesdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 28: Community Fly Tying Demonstration at Bennett Spring State Park
Join park volunteers Danny Goldsmith and Donald Ohler at 9 a.m. at the Bennett Spring Church of God annex building for a community fly tying demonstration. This program will provide instruction on tying a basic fishing fly and will give participants an opportunity to visit, share stories and see the art of fly tying. The demonstration is presented by the Friends of Bennett Spring State Park and is open to all ages. The church annex building is located directly across for the park office, behind the park restaurant at 26332 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Stream Team Cleanup at Bennett Spring State Park
Everyone is invited to help improve the environment at Bennett Spring State Park. Stream Team #5462 will clean up the area in and around the park’s namesake spring. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate, but children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All scuba divers will be coordinated by James Presley and must preregister by calling 417-883-5151 or emailing james.presley@diventures.com. Volunteers helping with trash pick-up on land can check in at the nature center on the day of the event to obtain gloves and trash bags. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 26250 Highway 64A in Lebanon.
Saturday, Nov. 4: Guided Bison Saunters at Prairie State Park
Celebrate National Bison Day, a day set aside to honor the bison as our national mammal, with a guided hike. This 1-ton beast once roamed the plains and prairies of North America 60 million strong before they were nearly wiped out. Due to the tremendous response of past years, there will be two saunters on this day: one at 10 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. Registration is required and the event is limited to 25 participants per saunter. To register, call 417-843-6711. Participants should meet at the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
Friday, Nov. 10: Wild Turkeys at Prairie State Park
Have you ever seen a flock of wild turkeys feeding in a field? Or heard one “gobble, gobble, gobble” in the woods? What’s life like for these large, native beauties? Children five and older can come learn about the world of Missouri turkeys. Class is limited to 35 and participants must complete registration by calling 417-843-6711 by Nov. 3. The class runs from 10 a.m. to noon at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events.For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.