Register and pay online for Nature courses
Call 314-984-7777 to register for fall classes by phone, or click the button above
to register and pay online.
Wildflowers of Late Summer
Learn to appreciate and identify the wildflowers of late summer with an emphasis on
the yellow-flowered members of the Aster Family (those Darn! Yellow Composites "DYCs")
that grow natively in the St. Louis area. Classroom discussion will be enriched with
a weekend field trip where you will have an opportunity to apply your new knowledge
and skills. Field trip details to be discussed in class. Provide own transportation.
Offered in partnership with the Missouri Native Plant Society. Taught by Rick Gray
and other local native plant experts. Course meets the curriculum requirements of
the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:723 | $39 | Age 60+: $39
F01 | Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Aug. 23 | MC - SW, 108
Insects of Missouri
Join a research entomologist, conservationist and photographer as he shares information
on the broad variety of insects with specific habitat associations within Missouri's
ecoregions. Through photos, you'll learn about the fantastic diversity, introductory
level morphology and taxonomy along with some of the fascinating natural history aspects
of Missouri's insects. Course meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist
program.
NATR:715 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F01 | W 6-8:30 p.m. | Chris Brown | Oct. 3 | MC - SO, 205
Introduction to Beekeeping
Bees play an important role in agriculture as pollinators of flowering plants that
provide food, fiber, spices, medicines and animal forage. Beekeeping can be a hobby,
a secondary business, or a full-time vocation. It is a relatively inexpensive hobby
that provides a sweet bonus each year. Is beekeeping right for you? Come and learn
how to attract native pollinators and honeybees by planting a pollinator-friendly
garden and constructing a nesting habitat for native pollinators. Introductory information
on getting started with beekeeping and honeybee products of the hive. Course meets
the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:733 | $29 | Age 60+: $29
F02 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Jane Sueme | Dec. 1 | MC - SO, 107
NEW! Beekeeping 2.0-Maintaining Healthy Colonies
One of the main goals in keeping honey bees is overwintering with a healthy colony.
This class will cover honeybee beekeeping beyond the first year with instruction specific
to our area regarding nutrition, pest and disease identification and management and
swarm control of healthy, established colonies next spring. Course meets the curriculum
requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:733 | $29 | Age 60+: $29
F01 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Jane Sueme | Sept. 22 | MC - SO, 232
Bats of Missouri
Missouri is home to at least 14 different species of bats. Learn about these different
species, where they live, how common they are, methods used to research and monitor
them along with neat facts about bats. Led by the Missouri Department of Conservation,
you will explore and discuss the importance of bats to the environment and humans
as well as current threats to these fascinating creatures. Course meets the curriculum
requirements of the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $29 | Age 60+: $29
F06 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Kathryn Womack | Oct. 6 | MC - SO, 232
Introduction to Bird Watching
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, more than 45 million Americans identify
birding as one of their favorite pastimes. Whether you are an amateur bird enthusiast
or are interested in learning more about bird identification, migratory patterns,
and wildlife in your own backyard, this class is for you! Join educators from the
St. Louis Audubon Society to discover how to identify bird species by sight, song,
physical attributes, and behaviors. You'll also learn how to research your findings
in guidebooks and how to attract more birds to your backyard through feeding and landscaping.
Field trip on Saturday, 9/8 will allow you to practice your new skills and learn about
the best places to view a variety of birds in the St. Louis area. Field trip details
to be discussed in class. Provide own transportation. Class is offered in partnership
with the St. Louis Audubon Society. Course meets the curriculum requirements for the
Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $35 | Age 60+: $35
F02 | W 7-9 p.m. | Sept. 5 | MC - SO, 108
Sparrows
There are 30 species of native sparrow in North America, a dozen of which can be found
nesting in Missouri. Come learn about the habitat, behavior, and markings of this
little bird. Towhees and Juncos will be included in the discussion. Offered in partnership
with the St. Louis Audubon Society. Course meets the curriculum requirements for the
Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F07 | W 7-9 p.m. | Nov. 7 | MC - SO, 109
Forest Park Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight
Join an award-winning naturalist and speaker to discover details into the lives of
a local mated pair of Great Horned Owls in Forest Park. Mark has been closely observing
and documenting the owls since 2005. You'll learn how he found the owls, basic facts
about the species, and the different behaviors he observes and documents with photos
and videos to illustrate these behaviors. Don't be surprised if you find yourself
looking for owls after this course in a follow-up, instructor-led, Owl Prowl! Course
meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F01 | Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark H.X. Glenshaw | Aug. 30 | FP - C, 221
NEW! How to Find an Owl in Your Neighborhood
Do you ever see or hear an owl in your neighborhood and want to experience more of
these beautiful birds? Well, the award-winning naturalist "The Owl Man" is here to
help. Mark has studied Great Horned Owls in Forest Park since 2005. He gives dozens
of lectures on the owls all over Missouri and Illinois and leads scores of owl prowls
in Forest Park each year. In addition to this, he helps people all over the St. Louis
metro area find owls in their neighborhoods whether in subdivisions, city neighborhoods,
pocket parks or large public parks. Mark's talk will show which owls you are most
likely to see or hear, where to look for them, how to look for them, what to listen
for, and the importance of research and collaboration. These techniques are the same
that he used when he began studying owls and uses to this day. For additional insights,
we will also show, via photos and videos, owl behaviors he has observed and documented.
NATR:709 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F04 | Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark H.X. Glenshaw | Sept. 20 | FP - G, 113
Great Horned Owls: Hunting and Feeding
Join an award-winning naturalist, has been observing, documenting and doing outreach
with Great Horned Owls in Forest Park since December 2005. Mark has learned many of
the owls' hunting perches and observed and documented many predatory attempts as well
as seen the owls feed themselves and their many owlets. Join us for a fascinating
insight into one of the most successful predators in the Americas. Course meets the
curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F03 | Th 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Mark H.X. Glenshaw | Sept. 6 | MC - SO, 232
Raptors: A Look at Hawks and Eagles
Come soar with the eagles and hawks, masters of the sky and the ultimate raptors.
Learn about anatomy, behaviors and adaptations. Concentration will be on the bald
eagle, master fisherman and red tail hawk. Offered in cooperation with St. Louis Audubon
Society. Course meets the curriculum requirements of the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:709 | $25 | Age 60+: $25
F05 | W 7-9 p.m. | Oct. 3 | MC - SO, 108
Recovering Two Endangered Wolf Species: On the Brink Again?
Recovering a species from less than 14 individual animals is a challenging process.
Both the red wolf (who was native to Missouri) and the Mexican gray wolf have come
back from the brink of extinction by the passion and efforts of several facilities.
Class will focus on the Endangered Wolf Center's key role in their recovery and the
current status of each species in the wild now. A tour of the animals will be included.
Call EWC at 636-938-5900 for directions and location details. Offered in partnership
with the Endangered Wolf Center. Registration deadline 9/13. No refunds after this
date. Course meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist Certificate.
NATR:727 | $29 | Age 60+: $29
F01 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Sept. 22 | Endangered Wolf Ctr
Unique Animals and Plants of Australia
Australia has been geographically isolated for over 45 million years resulting in
an abundance of plants and animals that are found only on this continent. An amazing
80% of the mammal, reptile, frog and flowering plant species are endemic to Australia.
Australia's diverse oceans support around 4,000 of the world's 22,000 types of fish.
With its temperate and tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands and coral reefs,
this unique continent accounts for almost 10% of the total biodiversity of Earth.
Taught by a Biology professor who will show photos and discuss the remarkable natural
histories of the larger, more unique animals and plants. Course meets the curriculum
requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:765 | $25 | Age 60+: $20
F01 | M 6:30-8:30 p.m. | David Tylka | Oct. 8 | MC - SO, 107
Geology of Missouri
Spend a few hours learning about the geology and geography of Missouri in an informal
atmosphere. We will discuss how our state has been shaped by glaciations, earthquakes,
uplift, and warm, shallow seas. Learn about the processes that gave us the nickname
"The Cave State." We will also take a look at the economic impact rocks and minerals
have had on our state's economy. Course meets the curriculum requirements for the
Master Naturalist program.
NATR:730 | $29 | Age 60+: $21.50
F01 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Jeffrey Smith | Oct. 6 | MC - SW, 106
NOTE: Course moved to room 106.
Exploring Fall and Winter Night Skies
Class meets on Mondays 10/15, 10/22, and Wednesdays 10/17, 10/24. Learn how to use
the unaided eye, binoculars or small to medium sized telescopes to find, identify
and observe the astronomical objects and events of late fall and winter including
the moon, planets, artificial satellites, meteors, comets, stars, constellations and
nebula. Bring to class: a planisphere 35-45 degree latitude, such as Phillip's planisphere
6" or larger, and current issue of Sky and Telescope magazine. One field trip 11/3-11/5,
details to be announced in class. Provide own transportation. Course meets the curriculum
requirements of the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:732 | $59 | Age 60+: $41
F03 | MW 7-9 p.m. | Michael Malolepszy | Oct. 15-24 | MC - SO, 105
Meteors and Comets
There is much more to the skies than just star gazing. Some of nature's most spectacular
astronomical phenomena were at times terrifying in the past. They include meteor showers
and bright comets-all of which can be enjoyed with nothing more than the unaided eye.
Learn how to enhance those experiences with inexpensive tools such as binoculars and
how to do safe solar eclipse observing with appropriate but inexpensive items. Course
meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:732 | $25 | Age 60+: $18
F02 | Sa 10 a.m.-noon | Michael Malolepszy | Sept. 29 | MC - SO, 107
NEW! Observing Eclipses
Lunar and solar eclipses can be enjoyed with modest and in some cases no equipment.
Learn how to plan, observe and enhance those experiences with inexpensive tools such
as websites, binoculars, telescopes, and how to do safe solar eclipse observing with
safe but inexpensive items such as "eclipse glasses" and other tools. The total lunar
eclipse of January 21, 2019 and the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 will be discussed.
Course meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:732 | $25 | Age 60+: $18
F01 | Th 7-9 p.m. | Michael Malolepszy | Sept. 27 | MC - SO, 108
Climate Change 101
What is climate change? How are rising temperatures impacting the ecosystems, forests,
oceans and even the St. Louis area? What is the biggest concern from scientists? What
are the best solutions? Why do Americans disagree so strongly about this issue? Join
park ranger Brian Ettling as he shares the basic science, shows the unusual suspects
that accept the science, and debunks many of the myths. Learn how to effectively educate
others on the topic using humor and optimism to inspire them to take action. Course
meets the curriculum requirements for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:734 | $19 | Age 60+: $17
F01 | Sa 9 a.m.-noon | Brian Ettling | Oct. 13 | MC - SO, 107
NEW! Local Water Quality Issues and Storm Water Management
This class will explore the value of clean water in our community. We will discuss
important water quality issues our community faces and the many ways the region is
working to protect our watersheds. Discover the relationship between human development,
storm water, and water quality issues and the best management practices we can implement
to prevent pollution. Walk away with practical solutions you can do in your own life
and at home to help protect our watershed. Course meets the curriculum requirements
for the Master Naturalist program.
NATR:765 | $15 | Age 60+: $15
F02 | Th 7-8:30 p.m. | Kat Golden | Oct. 18 | MC - BA, 120
