September 20th - September 22nd
MONPS 2024
Fall Field Trip
Join us for our next MONPS weekend! We will be visiting several sites near Kirksville MO beginning the afternoon of Friday, September 20th and wrapping up on Sunday morning, September 22nd.
Please join us for an afternoon on the prairie. This 340-acre area represents one of the few high-quality, tallgrass prairie remnants in northeast Missouri. Species such as Virginia Bunchflower, Prairie Dropseed, and Prairie Blazingstar can be seen in abundance here. We will start at the parking area and walk the 0.5 mile distance to the natural area. No restrooms are located on site. The nearest facilities are located in Unionville or Green City.
Field Trip Leader: Hilary Haley - (816) 255-4805
Friday Evening - September 20th
7:00PM
Friday Night Speaker
Missouri Department of Conservation
Northeast Regional Office
3500 S Baltimore St, Kirksville, MO 63501
This 315-acre area contains a diverse, old growth forest with species of trees including basswood, sugar maple, red and white oaks as well as a diverse understory of wildflowers. We will meet at the parking lot on the west side of the property. There are no restrooms located on site; the nearest facilities will be located in Green City.
Field Trip Leader: Hilary Haley - (816) 255-4805
Leave from Baymont by Wyndham at 8:00 AM
Saturday, September 21st
12:00 PM - Lunch Break
Lunch at the Union Ridge Lake parking lot located in Union Ridge Conservation Area. Bring your camping chairs and sack lunches for lunch by the lake. Restroom facilities are on site. This parking lot (labeled Parking Lot E on the Area Map for Union Ridge CA) is located at the intersection of Route D and Lilac Road.
Union Ridge Conservation Area contains a mixture of forests, prairies, grasslands, and savannah habitats. Located within the conservation area is Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area. Many savannah plant species can be found here including prairie willow, new jersey tea, leadplant, and dwarf chinkapin oak. We will meet at the parking lot labeled J on the Area Map and venture through the natural area. Restroom facilities are located at parking lots N and E.
Field Trip Leader: Hilary Haley - (816) 255-4805
Saturday, April 27th
5:30 PM - Dinner (Optional)
Bellacino’s Pizza and Grinders
516 N Baltimore Street, Ste C
Kirksville, MO 63501
Phone: (660) 665-7665
Saturday Evening - September 21st
7:30PM
Board Meeting
Missouri Department of Conservation
Northeast Regional Office
3500 S Baltimore St, Kirksville, MO 63501
We’ll meet up at the trailhead for the Redbud Trail and walk the mile-long trail. Thousand Hills State Park gets its name from the many, rolling hills and steep cliffs in the area. The park also contains a petroglyph site to the north of our starting point. “Archaeologists believe the area was once part of an ancient ceremonial ground used by the Native Americans who inhabited Missouri as many as 1,500 years ago.” Restroom facilities are located throughout the park. The nearest to our starting point is at the trailhead of the Oak Trail, just south of our starting point.
Field Trip Leader: Hilary Haley - (816) 255-4805
Leave from Baymont by Wyndham at 8:30 AM
Click Here for Detailed Directions
Lodging Options
Baymont by Wyndham
2702 South Franklin Street
Kirksville, MO 63501
Website │ Phone: (660) 627-1100
A book of rooms have been reserved under the code: Missouri Native Plant Society. Please make your reservations by August 20th. The nightly room rate is $118 plus tax.