Many creatures keep on the move during winter, especially birds seeking food and shelter in forests, fields, and backyards. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Burr Oak Woods Nature Center will offer several free programs and workshops during December that help families connect with birds and learn more about them.
     A backyard birds’ workshop and hike will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the center in Blue Springs. Participants will learn about birds that commonly visit backyard feeders. If weather allows, MDC staff will take participants on a guided hike to spot birds in the woods and meadows. This activity is open to all ages and registration is not required.
     MDC offers several programs designed to help young children discover and enjoy nature. A Little Acorns program about birds that come to bird feeders will be offered from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11. This program is for children from ages 3 to 5 who are accompanied by an adult. The children will learn about Missouri birds and make a feeder to take home. 
     The Burr Oak Woods staff will lead a Families Xplore winter night hike from 6:30 to 8:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 12. Birds will be among the wildlife discussed on the hike along with how other parts of nature adapt to winter. This program is designed for families with children from ages 6 to 13.      Burr Oak Woods will host a Super Suet program from 1:00 to 2:30pm on Saturday, December 14. This program is designed for adults 18 and older. Experts will talk about what type of suet birds prefer to feed on to give them energy in winter. Participants will make suet to take home for their backyard feeders.
     Registration is required for these three events. To register online, visit mdc.mo.gov/events-s3.
     A Bird in the Hand program will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4. This program will give participants a chance to help band birds and learn about the science that tracks bird populations. Avian experts at the Missouri River Bird Observatory partners with the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in an ongoing project to identify and track birds that come to the center’s feeders each winter. Birds such as chickadees, cardinals, juncos, and sparrows are captured as they come to the center’s feeders and given leg bands. Birders spotting the bands report sightings to an online database. This enables participants to track the movements of birds that they helped band. This program is for all ages and registration is not required.
     For more information about all programs at Burr Oak Woods, call 816-228-3766 or visit mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods.
 

​     Not all aliens arrive in spaceships. Some send seeds floating in the wind or drifting in the water. Property owners sometimes unknowingly allow them to proliferate in backyard settings. People aware of problems posed by nonnative, invasive species are a first line of defense.
     But alas, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) staff at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center has also lined up some superheroes that will hike to the rescue from 4:00pm to 9:00pm on Saturday, October 5th, at the Nature Center in Blue Springs.
     All ages are welcome for lighthearted but informative trailside theater as the Burr Oak Woods staff presents Superheroes and the Curse of the Alien Invaders. Fear not, good people, this is a free event.
     In a fun and family-friendly way, visitors can take a guided trek through the forest and meet the Incredible Hulk, Batman, Aqua Girl, Spiderman, Captain Marvel, and even Superman along the trail as they battle against troublesome exotic species. Nature fans donning their Halloween costumes early are welcome.
     The superheroes will talk about the role of native species in nature and how nonnative, invasive exotics negatively affect people, wildlife, and forest and grassland habitats. Visitors will also get to enjoy nature in the autumn-tinged woods.
     Those who are dealing with a troublesome invasive species on their property will have a chance to discuss management approaches with experts. Trail tours start every 15 minutes, with the last tour departing at 7:00pm. There will be a final performance at 8:00pm in the nature center auditorium.
     Registration is not necessary. But visitors can reserve a tour time by picking up tickets at the nature center’s front desk. Visitors can also enjoy nature activities, crafts, prizes and free refreshments.
     MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Nature Center is located at 1401 NW Park Road. For more information, call 816-228-3766, or visit http://mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods.
 

The only inflatable water park in the region opens June 2nd on the shores of Longview Lake Beach. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30am, Rowdy Ribbit's Water Park opens to the public. Guests can enjoy music on the beach with DJ Love from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., taste treats from Twisted Taters and Kona Ice and meet Kansas City Chiefs Defensive End Chris Jones during an autograph session from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Live radio broadcasts will also air on 99.7 The Point and 106.5 The Wolf.

What:         Rowdy Ribbit’s Water Park Grand Opening
                           
When:         Saturday, June 2
 
Time:          10:30 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting
                    11:00 a.m. – Opens to the Public

​Where:        Longview Lake Beach
                     11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO
 
Cost:           $20 for 1 hour (per person)
                    $35 for 2 hours (per person)
 
                    Beach admission also required
                    $6 Adults age 16-64
                    $4 Ages 3-15 & Seniors 65 and over
                    Free Under 3

“This is such an exciting opportunity for Jackson County and the region,” said Jackson County Parks + Rec Director Michele Newman. “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome this exciting new attraction to Longview Lake Beach.”
 
How it works: Rowdy Ribbits offers one-hour sessions of non-stop fun. Participants must sign up in advance for the hour(s) they wish to play and that hour is exclusive to no more than 100 people. There is no waiting in line. Arrival should be 30 minutes prior to each session.
 
Participants must be at least 6 years old, 48 inches tall and sign a release waiver. Before each session, a beach attendant will review the waiver, go over safety protocols and issue a certified life jacket.  Life jackets must be worn at all times in the water. The ability to swim is a plus, but not mandatory. A Tadpole Pond is available for those who don’t meet the height requirement.
 
Rowdy Ribbits participants will pay a fee to play and a Longview Lake Beach admission fee, giving them all-day access to the beach, where people are allowed to bring their own coolers of food and soft drinks.
 
Visit www.rowdyribbits.com to schedule a session, purchase passes, view discounts and more.
 
Rowdy Ribbit’s Water Sports Park is an independently owned and operated attraction at Longview Lake Beach. All fees are set by the ownership. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., seven days a week, from June 2 through Labor Day.
 
For more information, call (816) 229-8980 or go to www.MakeYourDayHere.com.