[two_third last=”no”]

I helped out at Kid’s Day at Maramec Spring Park last Saturday, a special event which features activities, casting contests, assistance with fishing and free lunch for kids and families. Kid’s Day brought over 800 people to the park to enjoy one of the greatest summertime activities imaginable – fishing. I was helping at the t-shirt station where for a small fee kids could decorate a t-shirt with colorful paint and stamps. Other stations included a water quality demonstration featuring live, aquatic invertebrates, a game called Bass in the Grass, a mobile fish aquarium featuring native Missouri fish species and a casting contest. After the event ended, I had the chance to walk around the spring creek, which was still lined on both sides with anglers of all ages, but especially young kids. The upper pool of the stream was stocked with lots of hungry trout the night before, so fishing was good!

Watching these kids proudly display stringers loaded with wiggly trout reminds me of the importance of events like these. Conservation is the wise use of resources, including fish. When children are taught how to enjoy these resources at an early age it gives them a deeper respect and appreciation for them. With so many options, children are bound to love at least one type of outdoor activity if given the chance.

In Missouri, there are educational programs designed to introduce or teach kids more about the wonders of the natural world. Around here the Springfield Conservation Nature Center and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery are great resources. Information on the types of programs they offer can be found at: http://mdc.mo.gov/events/location/Springfield%20Conservation%20Nature%20Center/heading/Springfield%20Nature%20Center

http://mdc.mo.gov/events/location/Shepherd/heading/Shepherd%20of%20the%20Hills%20Hatchery

“For in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught” BabaDioum

[/two_third]

[one_third last=”yes”]

[/one_third]