Wings Over Weston at Weston Bend State Park May 9

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The public is invited to enjoy “Wings Over Weston” on Saturday, May 9 at Weston Bend State Park from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival celebrates and raises awareness for birds and monarchs, their migration and the importance of conservation of habitat.

The festival is a family-friendly event for children and adults of every age. Activities include arts and crafts, face painting, games, guided bird hikes, bird banding and rescued birds from Operation Wildlife. Live music will be provided by the Bluegrass Tornadoes and a food truck will be available.

Partners, sponsors and volunteers include Missouri State Parks, Burroughs Audubon, Audubon Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, City of Weston, Platte County Parks and Recreation, Missouri Master Naturalists, The Wildlife Society, Missouri River Bird Observatory and Operation Wildlife.

Weston Bend State Park is located off of Highway 45 near Weston. For more information about the event, call Weston Bend State Park at 816-640-5443. 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.

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Deadline approaches for families to sign up to Learn2 Camp in Missouri State Parks

Granite boulders 1.5 billion years old at Missouri's Elephant Rock State Park Español: Paisaje granítico en Missouri. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks is teaming up with The North Face Explore Your Parks Program this summer to teach families how to have an enjoyable and safe camping experience in its Learn2 Camp program. The application deadline is May 11 at 5 p.m. for the programs, which are held in June.

“Some families may want to try camping but are unfamiliar with what is needed because they don’t have much experience in the outdoors,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks. “This is where the Learn2 Camp program comes in.   We provide instruction, equipment and everything you need to start a tradition of spending the night under the stars.”

This summer, 32 families will have the opportunity to participate in the program, which will be held at four different Missouri state parks during June. Workshops will be held at the following locations:

June 7-8	Onondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg (east central Missouri)
June 14-15	St. Francois State Park, Bonne Terre (St. Louis area)
June 21-22	Weston Bend State Park, Weston (north Kansas City area)
June 28-29	Long Branch State Park, Macon (north central Missouri)

Families participating in the Learn2 Camp program will have access to camping equipment, instructors to teach basic camping skills and a campsite in a state park campground.

To apply to be a Learn2 Camp program family or for more information on the program, visitmostateparks.com/learn2camp. To learn more about the parks where the programs will be held or all state park campgrounds, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Family Fall Festival planned at Weston Bend State Park Oct. 19

The public is invited to enjoy the Family Fall Festival at Weston Bend State Park onSaturday, Oct. 19.

Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event will take place on the park grounds near the open shelter house from 1 to 4 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy apple cider pressing, Dutch oven cooking and blacksmithing demonstrations. There will also be live music, pumpkin decorating and nature-themed crafts and activities.  Admission to the event is free.

The Family Fall Festival at Weston Bend State Park is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge. To celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the “Best Trails State” by American Trails and to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors, Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon are inviting Missourians to join them in completing 100 Missouri Miles of outdoor physical activity by the end of the year.

For more information and to take the Challenge, visit 100MissouriMiles.com. Participants can also share adventures, post photos and learn about upcoming events by connecting with 100 Missouri Miles on Facebook and Twitter.

Weston Bend State Park is located off of Highway 45 near Weston. For more information on the event, call the park at 816-640-5443. For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Missouri State Parks invites everyone to Great American Backyard Campout June 22

Topographic featuers and public lands in the vicinity of Johnson's Shut-ins State Park and Taum Sauk State Park in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks invites you to experience an outdoor adventure under the stars with friends and family on June 22 during the Great American Backyard Campout.

The Great American Backyard Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to reconnect and experience the outdoors. To help you celebrate, Missouri State Parks is offering special programs and activities to make this night one to remember.

"Whether it’s your first time camping or you’re following a long-standing tradition, the Great American Backyard Campout is a great opportunity for families to get outdoors and experience nature,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “There are a variety of events at parks and historic sites throughout the state to give you the chance to come out and enjoy a fun camping adventure.”    

Activities will vary from park to park with programs ranging from night hikes and camping demonstrations to overnight campouts and storytelling. Programs will appeal to all ages, including kids who may be experiencing nature for the first time. All parks will offer a camping tradition — sitting around a campfire and making and enjoying s'mores. Some programs are offered during the day and other parks offer overnight camping. Call the individual parks or visit mostateparks.com for more details.

Following are the parks and historic sites participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout.

• Trail of Tears State Park, Jackson, 573-290-5268.
• Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial, 636-464-2976.
• Fort Davidson State Historic Site, Pilot Knob, 573-546-3454.
• Crowder State Park, Trenton, 660-359-6473.
• Wallace State Park, Cameron, 816- 632-374.
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook, 573-546-2450.
• Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson, 573-856-4514.
• Pomme de Terre State Park, Pittsburg, 417-745-6909.
• Roaring River State Park, Cassville, 417-847-3742.
• Weston Bend State Park, Weston, 816-640-5443.
• Current River State Park, Salem, 573-858-3015.
• Van Meter State Park, Miami, 660-886-7537.
• First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles, 636-940-3322.
• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Historic Site, Lawson, 816-580-3387.
• Felix Vallé House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve, 573-883-7102.

A visit to any of these state parks is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge. 

To celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the “Best Trails State” by American Trails and to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon are inviting Missourians to join them in completing 100 Missouri Miles of outdoor physical activity by the end of the year.

For more information and to take the Challenge, visit 100MissouriMiles.com. Participants can also share adventures, post photos and learn about upcoming events by connecting with 100 Missouri Miles on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are not planning to go to a state park for a special program on June 22, visit any Missouri state park this summer and begin your own camping tradition with family and friends. For more information about the 40 state parks with campgrounds, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Lewis and Clark State Park reopens day-use area

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visitors to northwest Missouri have a new destination for an afternoon outing with the reopening of the day-use area at Lewis and Clark State Park near Rushville.

According to Missouri State Parks, the reopened areas include the playground, boat ramp, open shelter, interpretive plaza and picnic area. The campground and the beach (including the showerhouse) remain closed until further notice.

The park, located on an oxbow lake near the Missouri River, was closed last summer because of flooding from the river’s rising water levels.

Although the campground at Lewis and Clark State Park remains temporarily closed, there are other state parks in northwest Missouri that are open to campers. These include Wallace State Park near Cameron, Weston Bend State Park near Weston and Watkins Woolen Mill State Park near Lawson. For more information about these parks, visit mostateparks.com.

Lewis and Clark State Park is located 20 miles southwest of St. Joseph at 801 Lake Crest Blvd. in Rushville. For more information about the park, call the park at 816-579-5564 or visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Wings over Weston planned May 12 at Weston Bend State Park

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kansas City Area Outdoor Learning Opportunity

Learn all about the world of migratory and resident birds at the Wings over Weston event Saturday, May 12 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The event, a birding festival for the entire family, is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Activities will focus on birds, their ecosystems and bird watching. There will be guided bird hikes and programs on building bird houses and feeders, how to use binoculars and making bird masks and hats. Other activities will include face painting, mural painting, touch tables, story time, a migration obstacle course and more. Prizes, raffles, and refreshments will be offered throughout the day.

Special guests will include Operation Wildlife with live rescued birds and the Missouri River Bird Observatory in Marshall, who will band birds and allow children to release them into the wild. The Bluegrass Tornadoes with provide live entertainment, and Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will sell Missouri native plants for the benefit of Wings over Weston.

Wings over Weston is sponsored by Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri State Parks, Kansas City Power and Light, City of Weston, Platte County Parks and Recreation, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Volunteers will be on hand from the Missouri Master Naturalists Loess Hills and Osage Trails Chapters, The Wildlife Society from Missouri Western State University, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Friends of Squaw Creek.

Saturday’s event is part of a two-day program to celebrate the world of birds. On Friday, fourth grade students from the surrounding areas have been invited to visit the park for a hands-on experience about birds. The students will rotate among five educational stations staffed by trained volunteers.

This is the third year for Wings over Weston, which showcases the kind of landscape birds depend on to survive and thrive. Weston Bend State Park is part of an Important Bird Area or IBA. The IBA program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds. The IBA that includes Weston Bend State Park is known as the Iatan/Weston River Corridor IBA and contains one of the largest surviving tracts of old-growth bottomland forest along the entire length of the Missouri River.

Weston Bend State Park is located south of Weston at 16600 Highway 45 North. For more information about the event, contact Weston Bend State Park at 816-640-5443. For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Informational meeting planned Sept. 10 for Weston Bend State Park

 JEFFERSON CITY, MO., SEPT. 2, 2011 -- The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the open shelter.

Representatives from the facility will provide information on future plans for facility and answer questions. Visitors are invited to share comments and suggestions about the facility.

The meeting is part of the ongoing effort to ensure public has input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

Weston Bend State Park is located off of Highway 45 near Weston. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the site directly at 816-640-5443 or by calling the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).  For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Potential flooding temporarily closes Big Lake State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 7, 2011 – Big Lake State Park in northwest Missouri is closed in anticipation of possible flooding from rising water levels from the Missouri River. Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Park officials closed the park June 6 and will continue to evaluate the situation to determine when the park can reopen.

             “We have been working closely with federal, state and local officials and monitoring anticipated river levels to determine if and when water may impact Big Lake State Park,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “Based on the latest predictions, we decided to close the park and prepare for the approaching water,” Bryan added.

Because of its location on an oxbow lake near the Missouri River, Big Lake State Park has experienced flooding in the past and has plans in place for how to deal with flooding situations. In anticipation of the flooding, campers and lodging guests who had reservations were notified that the park is closed and refunds issued. Park staff began removing furniture and other items and shutting off utilities. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and reopen the park when it is safe for visitors to return.

Although Big Lake State Park is temporarily closed, there are other state parks in northwest Missouri that are open for campers and other visitors. These include Wallace State Park near Cameron, Weston Bend State Park near Weston and Watkins Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson. For information about these state parks, visit mostateparks.com.

To check the status of Big Lake State Park or for more information about Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com or call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (TDD).  To inquire about reservations for the motel and cabins, call 660-442-5432.

Wings over Weston event planned May 14 at Weston Bend State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. MAY 4, 2011 – Discover the fascinating world of birds and their importance in the environment at the Wings over Weston event Saturday, May 14 at Weston Bend State Park near Weston. The event, a birding festival for the entire family, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open the public.

            Demonstrations and activities will be held throughout the day and include educational stations on topics such as migratory songbirds, avian habitats and touch tables. Activities and games will be held for children of all ages. Operation Wildlife and Lakeside Nature Center will provide an opportunity for everyone to have an up close view of migratory birds and raptors. Prizes and raffles, special music by the Bluegrass Tornadoes, and duck and songbird mazes will provide entertainment all day. Guided bird hikes will be held offered throughout the day.

At 11 a.m. new interpretive panels along Harpst Trail will be dedicated. Each panel highlights the beauty and importance of birds, their habitat needs and challenges, and the importance of high quality landscapes for both people and wildlife. This series of panels were developed by Audubon Missouri, Burroughs Audubon Society and Missouri State Parks.

The event will provide an opportunity for Scouts to earn a Bird Study Merit Badge. Scouts can complete as many steps as possible for their badge with the help of counselors from Burroughs Audubon, the Missouri Master Naturalists and others.  

Wings over Weston is sponsored by Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City, Missouri State Parks, Audubon Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the city of Weston with support from the Aveda Corp.

Saturday’s event is part of a two-day program to celebrate the world of birds. On Friday, fourth grade students from four local schools are invited to visit the park for a hands-on experience about birds. The students will rotate among five educational stations staffed by trained volunteers.

This is the second year for Wings over Weston, which showcases the kind of landscape birds depend on to survive and thrive. Weston Bend State Park was recently designated as part of an Important Bird Area or IBA. The IBA program is a global effort to identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds. The IBA that includes Weston Bend State Park is known as the Iatan/Weston River Corridor IBA and contains one of the largest surviving tracts of old-growth bottomland forest along the entire length of the Missouri River.

Weston Bend State Park is located south of Weston at 16600 Highway 45 North. For more information about the event, contact Weston Bend State Park at 816-640-5443 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.