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Wetlands event Saturday will bring out birds, reptiles


Tuesday, March 30, 2010 11:09 AM CDT


Children can learn about wetlands and the natural world from experts Saturday at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.

The 2010 Annual Wetlands for Kids Day, hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Ducks Unlimited, will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

"Hundreds of children discover the allure of the outdoors each year at this event, and this year will be even better," said Tom Shryock, Ducks Unlimited state chairman and Wetlands for Kids Day volunteer.

Activities will include more than 20 stations where visitors can learn about wetland creatures firsthand. They can see live birds of prey, get a close-up look at wetland inhabitants at the live reptile and amphibian station, explore the Duck Wing Maze and learn to identify ducks by their wings and plumage, crawl through a beaver den and watch a retriever demonstration. Other stations include fish tasting, air rifle shooting and archery skills. New this year will be a fly rod casting station.

"Wetlands are a very precious resource that a lot of people don't understand," said Dan Crigler, a Conservation Department private lands conservationist who is coordinating the event.



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Wetlands for Kids Day is an effort to demonstrate the role of these environments. Wetlands play a vital role in purifying water, pulling back floods and providing homes for plants and animals.

Each child who attends will get a free tree seedling from the Conservation Department, a free Ducks Unlimited Greenwing membership and a subscription to Puddler Magazine, courtesy of the Monsanto Fund.

"It's just so much fun to see these kids interact with the various stations," Crigler said. "They're smiling and the parents are having a good time. I just like to see the enthusiasm and fun that people have."

In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors.

12TH ANNUAL WETLANDS FOR KIDS DAY

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 3

Where: August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, 2360 Highway D in St. Charles

Cost: Free

For more info: 636-441-4554

 
 
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