First Thursdays Live on Zoom. Recordings available following the webinar.
Join Deep Roots each first Thursday at 12pm CST to learn best management practices for large landscapes. Working with landowners, natural resource managers, and conservationists across the Midwest, this series tells the story of native habitat stewardship and restoration efforts. Each episode features practical insight and how-to application from experts with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District (JCPRD) and Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
Lunch and Learn series occurs monthly on the first Thursday of each month at 12pm Central time.
To register for events in this series, please click the button below to sign up:
April 4th – Cedar Niles Park with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District. Join experts from JCPRD and Cydney Ross, Deep Roots outdoor education manager as they hike the trails at Cedar Niles Park in Olathe, Kansas. View spring ephemerals, ferns, and moss-covered limestone bluffs in the woodlands while learning about JCPRD’s natural resource management practices.
June 6th – The Prairies of Shawnee Mission Park with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District. Join experts from JCPRD and Cydney Ross, Deep Roots outdoor education manager as they explore the prairies of Shawnee Mission Park. Learn how JCPRD stitched together old growth, new prairies, and prairie restorations over 2 miles and 200+ acres of habitat. Learn about JCPRD’s natural resource management practices and appreciate the beauty of summertime prairies.
September 5th – Lexington Lake Park with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District. Join experts from JCPRD and Cydney Ross, Deep Roots outdoor education manager as they tell the story of change at this site through glacial rocks, river bluffs, pioneer ruins, and new prairies. Experience the beauty of this public space in DeSoto, Kansas and learn about the the joys and challenges of managing one of the largest intact public woodlands in Johnson County.
November 7th – Nelson Island with Johnson County Parks and Recreation District. Join experts from JCPRD and Cydney Ross, Deep Roots outdoor education manager as they explore Nelson Island located on the Kaw River, a site rich in bootlegging history and migratory birds! Tune in to learn about JCPRD’s natural resource management practices and appreciate the beauty of this gem located in Shawnee, Kansas.
Register for the Guided Naturalist Walk at Nelson Island Branch on November 16:
January 4th – Prescribed Burning Practices with Missouri Department of Conservation. Join special guest Cassandra Messer, MDC Private Land Conservationist for Clay and Platte County as she dives into the history and contemporary application of fire as a large land management tool.
March 7th – Callery Pears with Missouri Department of Conservation. Join Private Land Conservationists from MDC as they discuss the challenges of managing non-native invasive species Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) on large landscapes.
May 2nd – Garlic Mustard with Missouri Department of Conservation. Join Private Land Conservationists from MDC as they look at methods of removing Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) on large landscapes.
July 3rd – Autumn Olive with Missouri Department of Conservation. Learn how to ID and manage non-native invasive Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) in large landscapes with Andy Carmack, Private Land Conservationist.
August 1st – DIY Prairie Restoration Shrinking turf lawn is not only better for nature, but it also saves time, money, and valuable resources. With the majority of Missouri land being privately owned, it’s critical that we steward and create native habitat where we can. See how private landowners, Mark and Jenny, worked with Missouri Department of Conservation to convert several acres of turf lawn to a pastoral native prairie restoration.
October 3rd – Shrub Honeysuckle with Missouri Department of Conservation. Join Private Land Conservationists from MDC and local landowners as they tell their story of managing non-native invasive Shrub Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Learn the environmental impacts and how to implement best management practices in this educational episode.
December 5th – Winter Creeper with Missouri Department of Conservation. Join Private Land Conservationists from MDC and local landowners as they share their struggles and successes with non-native invasive Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortuneii). Learn how to identify this species in your landscape and apply best management practices.
Recently Aired Episodes
Lunch and Learn – Episode Thirty-three
DIY Prairie Restoration
Speakers: Jenny and Mark Frost, Private Land Owners and Cassandra Messer, Private Land Conservationist, MDC
Lunch and Learn – Episode Thirty-four
Lexington Lake Park
Speakers: Madegan Morrison and Sam Timko, Natural Resource Technicians, JCPRD
Lunch and Learn – Episode Thirty-five
Invasive Shrub Honeysuckle Removal Management with MDC