vents Oct. 8 showcase Onondaga Cave State Park

Image via WikipediaCAMPING PLACES IN MISSOURI AND NATIONWIDE

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.,   SEPT 30, 2011 –   On Oct. 8, visitors will have two opportunities to explore the wonders of nature at Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg. During the day, they can enjoy Nature's Canvas and Recycled Art in the Park, and in the evening they can take a historical tour of Onondaga Cave.

            Nature’s Canvas and Recycled Art in the Park, which will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is co-sponsored byOnondaga Cave State Park and the Onondaga Friends Association. The free event will feature local artists and groups that use nature as part of their art. Activities include instruction in designing art from material found in nature, from recycled materials and from other found-object art. Children will be encouraged to work with items from the recycle bin, creating their own piece of green art.

             Any artist, art group or club who might be interested is encouraged to participate. Hands-on experiences and demonstrations with children and visitors are highly encouraged. Artisans will be encouraged to set up in the parking area and work on a piece while visiting with guests about their work. Artists will also be allowed to display work available for sale. Call the park for more information about participating in this event.

            At 7 p.m. that evening, visitors can take a historical lantern tour of Onondaga Cave. This theatrical tour, co-sponsored by the Onondaga Friends Association, will be enhanced with characters from Onondaga Cave's past as they highlight the history of the cave. The theatrical tour will last approximately two hours. Space for the tour is limited and advance reservations are required. A fee of $22 for adults and $12 for children 11 to 14 will apply. While small children are welcome, this tour is designed for an adult audience. Proceeds will be used by the Onondaga Friends Association to enhance interpretive services at the park.

            Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H.  For more information, contact the park at 573-245-6576 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).  For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

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Hummingbird banding demonstrations to be held Aug. 6 at Onondaga Cave State Park

Image via Wikipedia JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 22, 2011 – Take advantage of this unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the ruby-throated hummingbird on Aug. 6 at Onondaga Cave State Park near Leasburg. Join researcher Lanny Chambers between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. as he captures and studies these fascinating little flying machines. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, these demonstrations will take place at the park’s visitor center and are free and open to the public.

            Researcher Lanny Chambers has been working on a project to track the movement patterns of hummingbirds in Missouri.  He safely captures the birds at the park’s feeders, weighs them, ages them, identifies the gender of each bird and then tags them.  Visitors will learn some general life history information about the ruby-throated hummingbird, which is Missouri’s only summer resident hummer.  Cameras are welcome, however, guests will be instructed to keep an adequate distance from the birds and researchers in order to ensure the safety of the birds.  Future opportunities for these demonstrations will be available in September.

            Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles south of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H.  For more information about these events, contact the park at 573-245-6576 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. 

Missouri Outdoor Information