As the colder months move in and outdoor activity begins to slow, we often begin searching for ways to make an impact while remaining warm and cozy. Thankfully, the winter season is the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and explore the amazing educational programs that everyone can enjoy—indoors!
Here at Missouri Conservation Corps, we’ve picked out some programs and presentations that can help you be more environmentally-conscious and continue learning about Missouri’s native habitats this season.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
YEL November 2025 Webinar: Plastics in Our Environment
- Thursday, November 6th, from 7 – 8:30pm CST
- Online registration here
Missouri Environmental Education Association is an organization whose mission is the “help educators inspire Missourians to care about, understand and act for their environment”. They provide environmental education resources and connections for both formal and non-formal educators, and these resources range from credential courses to a database of lesson plans, and everything in-between. The Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) is a membership level for young Missourians (ages 16-26) that aims to further connect students and young professionals with opportunities like green career support and scholarships, to name a few.
This free webinar will focus on the state of plastics in the environment and will feature three guest speakers involved in the Show-Me Less Plastic project: Luz Rooney, Co-Founder of the MO/WI chapter of Beyond Plastics; Dana Ripper, Executive Director and Co-Found of Missouri River Bird Observatory; and Mary Culler, Executive Director of Stream Teams United. Register now to hear the latest data on plastics and learn how young people can take action in their communities.
Winning a Reusable Future: Changemaker Bootcamp
- Three-part online training series starting November 10th
- Each session is 90-minutes, offered during two time-slots
- See the full calendar and online registration here
The Story of Stuff Project is a global movement that examines our relationship with stuff and the impacts of overconsumption. The project itself was founded following Annie Leonard’s 2007 online documentary, The Story of Stuff, which started what is now a decade-long conversation on the ‘throwaway economy’. Leonard’s book of the same name, released in 2010, expands on the information in her documentary on the environmental, economical, and health costs of a consumption-driven cycle.
The Story of Stuff Project uses storytelling to encourage action and problem-solving in our communities to combat the effects of pollution. With this training series, learners will come away with a better understanding of the plastic and waste crises and how to implement reuse systems.
America Recycles Day with Columbia’s volunteer Recycling Ambassadors
- Wednesday, November 12th, 6 – 7:30pm CST
- Columbia Public Library: 100 W Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203
After the Columbia recycling facility was devastated by a tornado in spring of 2025, the city has been slowly rebuilding its recycling program. If you’re someone who has been feeling lost or confused about recycling in Columbia since that fateful day, this is the program for you. Join the Recycling Ambassadors and learn about the waste stream, recycling contamination, and what the City of Columbia can and cannot currently recycle. In no time, anyone can confidently become a recycling expert! For more details, visit the event description on the Daniel Boone Regional Library website here.
This event will help you get ready to celebrate America Recycles Day, a nationwide effort to promote recycling, on November 15th, and this year will be the 28th year of national observance. America Recycles Day is spearheaded by Keep America Beautiful, a national non-profit that calls people together to create a cleaner, greener country for everyone.
Ecology and Biology Presentations
Overwintering Habits of Moths, Butterflies & Bees
- Thursday, November 6th, from 4 – 5pm CST
- Online registration here
A Grow Native! webinar featuring entomologist Chris Hartley, of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Join this free webinar to learn about the overwintering strategies of Missouri native invertebrates and how you can support them in your own yard this winter.
Minnows to Monsters: Fishes of the Missouri River
- Tuesday, November 11th, at 7pm CST (social hour from 6 – 7pm)
- Riechmann Indoor Pavilion (Stephens Lake Park): 2300 E Walnut St, Columbia, MO 65201
This event is part of Missouri River Relief‘s (MRR) Big Muddy Speaker Series, a free monthly series on the ecology, history, and biology of the Missouri River. This month, join MRR and Missouri Department of Conservation Researcher Brittany Harried for a presentation on the fish that live in the Missouri River. For more details, visit the full event description here.
From Big Rivers to Prairies: Audubon’s Conservation Work in Missouri with Tara Hohman
- Monday, November 17th, from 6:30 – 7pm CST
- Online registration here
This free webinar is a part of Missouri River Bird Observatory‘s (MRBO) monthly webinar series. This month’s session features guest speaker Tara Hohman, of Audubon Upper Mississippi River, as MRBO and Hohman discuss Audubon’s Conservation Ranching and Bottomland Forests for Birds programs.
