Release Date
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 19, 2023 – Join park team members as they host several fun events at our state parks and historic sites.
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Come celebrate National Public Lands Day at Bennett Spring State Park. From 1 to 2 p.m. in the nature center, guests can play Nature Bingo while learning about mammals, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and spiders that live on Missouri’s public land. Nature Bingo is similar to the traditional family game, but instead of letters, pictures are used and fun facts are shared. Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Saturday, Sept. 30 – Butterflies of Bennett at Bennett Spring State Park
The fall migration of butterflies begins in September and continues into early November. From 1to 2 p.m. Sept. 27-30, guests are invited to join the park naturalist in the nature center for a presentation on the butterflies of Bennett Spring State Park. The naturalist will guide attendees through the life cycles of butterflies while explaining the differences among the many butterfly species in the park. Discussion topics will also include generalist versus specialist butterflies, host plants, as well as butterfly research and surveys conducted in the state. The program is open to the public and registration is not necessary. Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: 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.
- Friday, Sept. 29: Looking at Leaves at Prairie State Park
Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? What causes them to turn loose from trees and fall to the ground? Join the team at Prairie State Park to learn about leaves, observe them in detail and make leaf rubbings to take home. This class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and is designed for children ages 5 and older. Class size is limited to 35 and registration is required by Sept. 22. To register, call 417-843-6711. Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
- Saturday, Sept. 30: Nature Bingo at Prairie State Park
Join the fun at 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month through December. This interactive board game focuses on Missouri’s natural elements, showcasing the state’s plants and wildlife. Instead of “bingo,” contestants will spell out “nature” and the categories are birds, plants and fungi, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrate animals. Instead of numbers and letters being called out, a description or fact about an animal, plant or fungus will be given and participants will guess what is being described. When a player’s column or row is filled in, they win a prize! Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
- Saturday, Sept. 30: Women’s Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park
The Missouri Department of Conservation and Bennett Spring State Park invite women and girls to fish for free from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. There is no license or daily tag fee for these anglers. Participants can pick up their free daily trout tag at the park store on Sept. 29 or any time during the event on Sept. 30. During the event, part of the park’s Zone 2 fishing areas will be specially stocked and reserved for female anglers. As part of the event, the Capital City Fly Fishers and Bennett Spring Fly Tying Group will be at the park demonstrating fly tying, knot tying and fly casting. Registration for the day is not required. Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
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.