Missouri River Explorer Program 2024 Reflection
Everyone can be a Missouri River Explorer!
In October, Missouri River Relief partnered with City of Refuge to provide families with the opportunity to explore the Missouri River! Participants could choose to earn their Missouri River Explorer badge by partaking in hands-on activities such as a free motorboat ride, creating a watercolor of the river, going on a nature walk, and meeting some of the creatures that call the Missouri River home. Some families even got to learn the basics of catfishing on the Missouri River with the Catfishing Gear Library. All in all, over 300 people participated in this year's program and 60 new River Explorers went home with a badge!
At the heart of this program is our Missouri River Explorer Badge. This badge has three components: Explore, Learn and Protect. The Missouri River Explorer Program gives the public the opportunity to earn their badges all in one place. Each activity completed during the program falls under one of the three components and counts towards earning a badge. To see more photos from this program click here.
Photo by Lara Cox
Photo by Steve Schnarr
Photo by Kristen Schulte
Explore
Program attendees were encouraged to explore the natural world around them to form a connection with the Missouri River. Some families set out to complete a bird scavenger hunt along the Katy Trail while others created a watercolor painting of their river observations. They also had the opportunity to take a free boat ride on the Missouri River with our experienced boat operators and deckhands.
Learn
Participants learned about rivers and streams with an interactive stream table and observed local plants by making a clay leaf print. Our special guests, Raptor Rehabilitation Project taught the attendees all about local birds. WildHeart led learning through songs and dances about the natural world and local entomologists introduced participants to some of their creepy crawly bug neighbors.
Protect
Attendees were encouraged to protect their watershed for the use and enjoyment of their community. They created their very own haven for wildlife by creating a bug hotel. They also took home a neighborhood Clean Up Kit that included instructions on how to safely conduct their own clean-up, a trash bag, and gloves.
Sponsors & Partners
Missouri River Relief has partnered with City of Refuge and AmeriCorps to bring Missouri River Explorers to Columbia. We are grateful for the support provided by Veterans United Foundation and Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District to make this program possible. And a Big Muddy thank you to Cooper's Landing Riverside Resort and Marina for hosting us!
