Eminence, MO:See live eagles up close and personal. Touch a snake! Learn about birds, water quality, search and rescue and lots of other exciting topics at the National Park Service's annual Junior Ranger Day. Each year area students and youth organizations come together with educators from statewide natural resource agencies for a fun, active, and exciting day of educational activities. This year's event will be held at Alley Spring on Friday, May 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. This event is FREE.
Local schools are invited to bring their 2nd through 5th graders. Homeschoolers and scout groups will find the event a wonderful resource. The general public is invited as well. Schools and large groups should RSVP by calling Dena Matteson at 573-323-8028 or e-mailing bill_o'donnell@partner.nps.gov.
There will be birds of prey presentations from the World Bird Sanctuary in St Louis during which the birds will actually fly over the students' heads! The Ozark Riverways' Search and Rescue Team shares high risk experiences. The Cave Research Foundation teaches us about caves and the Missouri Master Naturalists will be on hand to tell us all about bats. Project Wet will be there along with the Scenic Rivers Stream Team Association to remind us all about the importance of keeping our rivers clean. The American Canoe Association will have a certified trainer to introduce kids to safety on the rivers. There will be live nature sing-alongs.Many other organizations will be on the grounds with hands-on, fun, and exciting activities as well.
For more information call 573-323-4236, or visit us online at: www.nps.gov/ozar
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
