Ozark National Scenic Riverways is excited to announce the return of its Annual Junior Ranger Day, set for Wednesday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alley Spring, just five miles west of Eminence on State Route 106. The event is free and open to the public, inviting area students and youth organizations for a day packed with outdoor adventure and hands-on environmental education.
Designed especially for fourth- and fifth-grade students, the event offers an unforgettable learning experience for all ages. Attendees will enjoy interactive sessions on topics including bats, snakes, large mammals, fish, wildfires, river safety, hellbenders, and owls. The day’s highlight will be a live raptor presentation by the World Bird Sanctuary, offering a close-up look at some of nature’s most majestic birds.
Students and youth groups planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Josh Chilton at (573) 226-3945 or by email at josh_chilton@nps.gov. Participants should bring a picnic lunch and dress for outdoor activities. During the lunch break, all attendees will have the opportunity to be sworn in as official Junior Rangers, marking a proud milestone for young nature enthusiasts.
The event is made possible with the support of numerous partners, including Missouri State Parks, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S. Forest Service, the Ozark Riverways Foundation, the Ozark Trail Association, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Back Country Horsemen of Missouri, Missouri Bat Census, Missouri Stream Team, and dedicated park volunteers.
Funding for Junior Ranger Day comes from a generous National Park Foundation grant, supported by Union Pacific Railroad and donors from across the country. The Ozark Riverways Foundation, the park’s official philanthropic partner, also contributes critical financial and administrative assistance.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, along with the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Ozark region. For more information, call (573) 226-3945, visit the park’s Facebook page, or check out www.nps.gov/ozar.
