Discover the Tastes and Sights of Summer with MDC July 13 at Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie

EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a free Tastes and Sights of Summer program July 13 at Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie in El Dorado Springs. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Deep Roots KC Outdoor Education Manager Cydney Ross will share how native prairie and grassland plants were traditionally used for dyes and inks. MDC Conservation Educator Ginger Miller will answer prairie foraging questions and have tasty edible plants for participants to sample.

In addition, MDC biologists will be available to discuss ways to create wildlife-friendly plantings on your property using many of the edible natives discussed during the program. Other topics throughout the event will include prairie and grassland animals, ecology, plant identification, and seasonal phenology changes.

Before Missouri was settled, native prairie covered about one-third of the state. Today, less than one-half of one percent of those original grasslands remain, making this ecosystem increasingly rare. Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie is a cornerstone of MDC's Upper Osage Grasslands Priority Geography, a partnership that includes private partners and landowners.

Participants should be prepared to spend the day outdoors, bringing a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, appropriate shoes, and snacks. A camp chair or blanket is also recommended.

Advanced registration is required online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/201184.

Wah'Kon-Tah Prairie is located at 3860 East 02 Road in El Dorado Springs.