Trees: Tour of Midco
Registration period: February 3 – March 8
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Twin Pines Conservation Education Center
Be taken back in time with a guided historic tour around Midco, once the largest town in Carter County, and one of the state’s largest industrial developments before it was hit by the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic. Midco’s existence came about by a group of Kansas City investors looking for cheap land and timber that was plentiful in the rural Ozarks and named their business the Mid-Continent Iron Company.
Midco’s chemical plant and iron foundry included a large charcoal blast furnace, the world’s second largest in operation at the time. It could refine up to 100 tons of iron per day by burning 180 cords of wood cut from more than 24,000 acres across multiple counties of southern Missouri.
When the United States entered World War I, Midco’s chemical plant was one of eight facilities around the country the U.S. Army contracted with for methanol (wood alcohol) and acetate to produce airplane dope, a thick varnish-like solvent used to coat the canvas wings of aircraft used during that time.
Unfortunately, the Spanish flu sealed the demise of Midco as it struggled to find buyers for its products in the post-war economy, and by 1921, closed its doors for good. Not much remains of this once booming town except the impressive 165-feet tall smokestack, concrete walls and foundations covered by lichen, moss, and vines, and a cemetery.
Participants will meet at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center at 10:30 pm, then caravan over to the Midco site to begin the tour.
Nature Art: Watercolor painting: Missouri Wildflowers
Registration period: February 1 – March 24
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm and again from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Twin Pines Conservation Education Center
Come learn about not just the beauty, but the importance of our native wildflowers. We will explore a variety of native flower species, how to use them in native landscaping to promote pollinators and other wildlife and create a beautiful and personal watercolor bookmark of your favorite wildflower! All minors need to be accompanied by a registered adult.
All materials will be provided, but if you have your own set of brushes and watercolors – feel free to bring them!!!
Nature Art: Pine Needlers (VIRTUAL)
Registration period: February 25 – March 27
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Online only
Learn embroidery techniques while also exploring “Wildflowers” by stitching quilt blocks based on that theme.
Nature Art: Pine Needlers
Registration period: February 25 – March 27
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Twin Pines Conservation Education Center
This class is a 12-month program (June 2024-May 2025) that meets each month. You will learn simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques as we explore some of the most stunning and unique wildflowers native to Missouri.
By signing up, you are committing to attend all twelve of the monthly sessions so that you will be able to complete all 15 blocks for an entire quilt.
Birds: Hummingbirds of Missouri (VIRTUAL)
Registration period: February 23 – March 28
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Online only
Hummingbirds are beautiful and unique birds. Discover more about these tiny fliers and learn how to attract these magnificent little jewels to your yard or garden, as well as how you can help prepare them for their fall migration.
Trees: Walking Sticks
Registration period: February 25 – March 28
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and again from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Twin Pines Conservation Education Center
Do you like to hike? If so, join us as we learn about the different trees that make good walking sticks. Participants will also debark their own branches using shaving horses and personalize them for future hikes in the Ozarks.