Spring has arrived in the Midwest and there are many wonders of nature to explore in our area. On today's Central Standard, our Kansas City nature experts discuss spring peeper and western chorus frogs, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, plus some natural features that really shine in the spring.
Also, our experts suggest ideal locations in and around Kansas City to enjoy the new season's natural beauties.
Below are some great spots to explore nature and see wildlife in the spring:
- Isley Park Woods in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
- Maple Woods in Gladstone, Mo.
- Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs, Mo.
- Trice-Dedman Memorial Woods in Clinton County east of Plattsburg, Mo.
- Lakeside Nature Center at Swope Park in Kansas City, Mo.
- Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary in Liberty, Mo.
- Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, Kan.
If you are looking for a day trip:
- Weston Bend State Park in Weston, Mo.
- Ha Ha Tonka State Park at the Lake of the Ozarks in Camdenton, Mo.
- Harry S. Truman State Park in Warsaw, Mo.
- Knob Noster State Park in Knob Noster, Mo.
Open expanses in the area:
- Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area between Hoisington, Kan., and Great Bend, Kan.
- The Kansas Flint Hills in Strong City, Kan.
- Jerry Smith Park in Kansas City, Mo.
- For a list of public prairies, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website
Guests:
- Larry Rizzo, natural history biologist at the Missouri Department of Conservation
- Joe Werner, biologist and urban ecologist