Get Out!

1. Do your part to help butterflies thrive at Conservation Keepers: Milkweed and Monarchs. Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville. March 19, 1–2 p.m. Call 660-785-2420 for information.
2. Arrows fly. Bull’s-eye! Shoot a bow at Beginning Archery. Lake City Range in Buckner. March 5, 9–11:30 a.m. Ages 10–17. Register at 816-249-3194.
3. Learn how to hunt gobblers at Beginner’s Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic. Jay Henges
4. Shooting Range in High Ridge. March 19, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Register at 636-938-9548.
5. Have fun and improve your aim at Youth Air Rifle. August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center. April 23, 9–11 a.m. Ages 9–15. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Register at 636-441-4554.
6. See what it takes to grow up amphibian at Amazing Amphibians. Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. April 15, 4–7 p.m. Call 573-290-5218 for information.

With winter almost gone and spring right around the corner, there’s plenty to discover outside in March and April. Watch for these natural events around the following dates.

• MARCH 17 - Purple martins arrive this week.
• MARCH 22 - Bats are leaving - hibernation caves.
• MARCH 25 - Pileated woodpeckers drum to establish territories.
• APRIL 5 - White pelicans migrate through Missouri.
• APRIL 9 - It’s time to look for morel mushrooms.
• APRIL 11- Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive.
• APRIL 23 - Turtles are crossing roads. Watch out!

What is it? Don’t Know?

• I’m always one of the first to celebrate spring.
• I’ve got the wrong kind of bark to be your best friend.
• I’m the Show-Me State’s official state _ _ _ _.
• I like to live in the forest, but I’m branching out.

What Is It? (Answer)

Known for its dazzling display of white blooms in early spring, the flowering dogwood is also Missouri’s official state tree. It can be seen in open forests and yards throughout the state. The flowering dogwood’s dark red berries feed squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and about 30 other types of birds.