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On July 23rd at 7:00am, more than 500 boats and nearly 700 racers will begin the 19th Annual Missouri American Water MR340 river race. Participants will paddle 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles in nonmotorized boats, kayaks and canoes in a four-day race to the finish line.
“The Missouri American Water MR340 race brings awareness to the importance of our rivers, specifically as reliable sources of drinking water for millions throughout the state,” said Rich Svindland, President, Missouri American Water. “As the water service provider for one in four Missourians, our team is dedicated to the delivery of safe and clean water now and for future generations.” Race proceeds benefit the event host, Missouri River Relief and the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Museum, organizations promoting environmental stewardship and education. Approximately 40 volunteers from Missouri American Water will join Missouri River Relief staff and hundreds of other volunteers to help organize and facilitate the race. “The Missouri American Water MR340 brings together racers, ground crews, volunteers, towns & cities, sponsors and spectators from around the country and globe,” said Race Manager Taby Lane. “This wave of a few thousand participants will work across the state in a few days’ time and, together, make the race a wonderful experience and event promoting Missouri River Relief’s mission of drawing awareness and connecting people to the Missouri River.” Race details can also be found at mr340.org. To view a map of the race course, visit Race Course - The MR340. For race tracking and results, including a map showing the location of racers, see raceowl.com. Racers and their support ground crews will be stopping at nearly all boat ramps along the Missouri River.
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by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation With the Fourth-of-July coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourage people to look for red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities. MDC offers some suggestions to get started finding red, white, and blue in nature:
Want more information on these and other Missouri plants and animals, including where to find them? Use the handy and helpful MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide. Need suggestions for outdoor adventures? Find Things to Do with MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities. Offerings include: cycling on trails, backyard nature fun, birdwatching, fishing, camping, floating, outdoor cooking, hiking, hunting, nature photography, wildlife watching, and more. Need to find Places to Go for outdoor adventures? Visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places. Find MDC outdoor offerings based on select types of outdoor activities, locations, and more with the free MDC mobile app -- MO Outdoors. It is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/mobile-apps/mo-outdoors. Blue Male Indigo Bunting. Photo credit: MDC
by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters to apply online during July for a shot at more than 150 managed deer hunts throughout the state for archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at designated conservation areas, state and other parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed deer hunts are held specifically for youth, new hunters, or for people with disabilities. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available starting Aug. 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail. Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. Details about managed deer hunts can also be found in MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available starting in early July at MDC offices and nature centers, from permit vendors around the state, and online at mdc.mo.gov. by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation
With dry weather around the state, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds everyone to be especially careful with fireworks, campfires, and other sources of fire that could cause a wildfire. FIREWORKS: Don’t light fireworks in any areas where the sparks could ignite dry grass, leaves, or other potential fire fuel. Always have an approved fire extinguisher and an available water supply to douse sparks or flames. Wet the area around where fireworks are being discharged. Fireworks are not allowed on conservation areas. Check with local ordinances and authorities for bans on fireworks and open burning. OUTDOOR BURNING: Don’t burn during wrong conditions. Dry grass, high temperatures, low humidity, and wind make fire nearly impossible to control. Check with local fire departments regarding burn bans that may be in place. A person who starts a fire for any reason is responsible for any damage it may cause. DRIVING OFF ROAD: Wildfires can start when dry fuel, such as grass, comes in contact with catalytic converters. Think twice before driving into and across a grassy field. Never park over tall, dry grass or piles of leaves that can touch the underside of a vehicle. When driving vehicles off road, regularly inspect the undercarriage to ensure that fuel and brake lines are intact, and no oil leaks are apparent. Always carry an approved fire extinguisher on vehicles that are used off road. Check for the presence of spark arresters on ATV exhausts. MAKING A CAMPFIRE: Clear a generous zone around fire rings. Store unused firewood a good distance from a campfire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Keep campfires small and controllable. Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments. Learn more about camping on MDC areas at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/camping. CALL FOR HELP: Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control. REPORT FOREST ARSON: Wildfires are sometimes set by vandals. Help stop arson by calling 800-392-1111 and reporting any potential arson activities. Callers will remain anonymous, and rewards are possible. PRESCRIBED FIRE: Fire used in the wrong way can create disasters. Used in the right way, fire can help create habitat for wildlife. For more information on using prescribed fire as a land-management tool, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire-management/prescribed-fire. by Jill Pritchard, Missouri Department of Conservation
Staff from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri River Bird Observatory invite anyone interested in urban trees and wildlife in Kansas City to join them for a free community program on Urban Trees and Wildlife on Saturday, June 22, from 10:00am to Noon at the MDC Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave. in Kansas City. MDC Community Forester Taylor Neff, MDC Urban Wildlife Biologist Chris Cain, and Tessa Poolman of Missouri River Bird Observatory will share information on Kansas City’s tree and wildlife species. The program will start in a classroom to discuss the most common yard and street-tree species, common tree problems, tree resources, species to plant, and urban wildlife basics. The program will conclude with birdwatching and tree identification tour as time permits. Registration is required. Learn more and register at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/201207 Jackson County Parks + Rec’s Sand Cinema will present Barbie on the giant inflatable movie screen at Longview Lake Beach on Friday, June 7. Gates will open at 7:30pm. Admission is $10 per car.
Complimentary photos with Barbie, courtesy of This Princess Life, will be available before the movie gets underway around 9:00 p.m. or dark. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. No swimming or outside food, drinks, or pets are allowed. Concessions are available for guests to enjoy. Barbie is the first of three beachfront family features this summer. The Sand Cinema schedule for summer 2024 at Longview Lake Beach is as follows, weather permitting:
Longview Lake Beach is located at 11101 Raytown Road, just two miles south of I-470. For more information and to stay up to date on upcoming events, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/events. by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 8 and 9. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of MDC’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/about-regulations/summary-missouri-fishing-regulations. Want to learn to fish? MDC’s Discover Nature – Fishing Program provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/discover-nature-fishing. Need fishing gear? MDC works with numerous libraries and other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Find MDC Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/rod-reel-loaner-locations. MDC’s free MO Fishing app can help anglers find the best places to fish in Missouri, access regulation information, identify fish by species, and more. Anglers can also buy, store, and show fishing permits right on their mobile devices. MO Fishing is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/mobile-apps/mo-fishing. Photo credit: MDC
by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a hunter-education skills session on May 25 from 8:00am - Noon at Paradise Outfitters, 1500 S. Broadway in Oak Grove. The hunter-education skills session is the second half of the hunter-education certification process, taken after completing one of the knowledge-based options. Students must be 11 years of age or older by the day of the class. Students will need to complete the knowledge session of the course prior to attending this skills session. The knowledge portion can be completed through an online offering or by completing chapter review questions from the student manual. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education. Registration is required for the May 25 offering at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/200565 Photo credit: MDC
After nearly four years of planning and 18 months of construction, the wait is finally over as the City of Blue Springs and Blue Springs Parks & Recreation announce the opening of the new Blue Surf Bay Waterpark at 5:00am, Friday, May 24th to the public.
Prior to the grand opening, the city will host a dedication ceremony at 4:30pm, Thursday, May 23rd. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony as well as tour the facility from 5 to 7 p.m. that day. Nestled between 7 Highway and Adams Dairy Parkway on Mock Avenue, Blue Surf Bay offers family-friendly entertainment along with aquatic thrills. Boasting both an indoor and outdoor play area, the waterpark features an array of attractions and amenities for all ages. Features of Blue Surf Bay Waterpark include:
Blue Surf Bay Waterpark will include both swim lessons and aqua fitness classes. Hours for the waterpark are as follows: Indoor Aquatics Center Mon-Thurs: 5:15 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri: 5:15 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Outdoor Waterpark Hours Mon-Fri: Noon-7 p.m. Sat-Sun: Noon-6 p.m. Visit www.bluespringsgov.com/waterpark to view videos and learn more about the new waterpark and its amenities. by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free guided birding hike from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Resident and migrating songbirds and raptors will be active as spring progresses. The Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area that surrounds the nature center has hiking trails through forest, woodland, and native grassland habitats. There are also creeks and small ponds within some trail areas. Hikers should see a variety of birds. Adam Brandsgaard, MDC conservation educator, will provide birding tips and help identify birds spotted. Also lending expertise on the hike will be members of the Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City. Birding beginners or those with various experience levels are all welcome. Hikers should dress for the weather and bring their binoculars, drinks and snacks. The hike is open to participants ages 12 and older. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/42b. To learn more about the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods. |
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