We conserve Missouri's natural resources
through outreach, restoration, and research.

The Chert Glades Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists welcomes you to our site. Please look around. Here you will find information about what is happening now in nature, chapter activities, and upcoming events around the area. We have links to our Facebook page and our chapter sponsors, Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri University Extension. Our blogs are full of timely information about natural communities in Missouri..

Click on "Projects" to see the latest information our Monarch Projects, Redings Mill Glade Restoration Project, and our Stream Team Initiative at Cardinal Valley.

This was a fun tour at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery. Amy Maynard, a mussel biologist, spoke to our MMN members and family guests.

Master Naturalists shared knowledge at Wildcat programs yesterday. Their enthusiasm was inspiring.

The explosion of spring flowers at Wildcat Glades has not escaped Mei’s camera as her project to capture the order of spring bloom continues. By now the appearance of both native and naturalized flowers cannot be missed! How many have you seen? Do you know the difference?

Our winter camping trip was an exciting experience! We faced chilly temperatures, enjoyed a winter hike, practiced primitive skills with Kelly, identified animal scat, encountered an overly friendly raccoon, and dealt with ice on our tents!

The March chapter meeting was educational thanks to our guest speaker from George Washington Carver. We also celebrated the achievements of Sara, Clyde, Karen, Emily, and Val.

Reminder! Come on out to Atwood's this Saturday, March 15th, to grab two (2) Hotdogs and a drink for ONLY $1.00. To round out your meal, there will be chips and a dessert for .50 each. Condiments will be provided free except Sauerkraut is .25 extra. All proceeds go to Chert Glades Chapter for outreach and education at events.

Chert Glades Master Naturalist Chapter members completed their capstone project with a prescribed burn on the Restored area near Redings Mill Bridge, making way for beautiful native plants to flourish.

Spring is here 🌸, and it brings such a lovely feeling! 🌼✨

Snow has almost disappeared and warm sunshine inspires action, but please resist the urge to trim your native garden or landscaping! Spring’s first day does not officially arrive until March 20! Try to wait until then! When you must begin, instead of cutting all spent vegetation to the ground, try leaving 8-to 24 inch tall stems to provide real estate for stem-nesting native bees. Bees will lay eggs and develop in the stems over the course of a year to emerge in 2026. New growth will hide any stubble.

Winter sowing on snow is a good way to plant native seeds. Fall planting could trigger some germination resulting in seedlings too weak to survive the winter. Most native seeds require a cold “spanking” by Mother Nature to stimulate good germination. Snow helps seeds to sink down for good soil contact as it melts.