Lakeside Nature Center of KC

We want to thank all the folks that came out and made our 4th annual Fox Hollow Fest a success, despite the weather!

Participants enjoyed tree climbing, making flower presses, nature journals, and seed balls, learning how to container garden with natives, bird hikes, native plant sale, raffle, chatting up local partner organizations and beer garden! We displayed an inaugural swap and shop, which went over really well. And debuted new music for the Fest, The Crafts Folk. Such a fun band!!

Like all events, this could not have been accomplished without an amazing VOLUNTEER CREW! They worked hard to set up, break down and engage with participants all with soggy feet and a smile on their faces 🙂

THANK YOU to our partners in attendance:
BANFIELD VET CLINIC
BRIDGING THE GAP
COMPOST COLLECTIVE KC
HEARTLAND CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
HEARTLAND OUTSIDE
KC AMBASSADORS
LAKESIDE NATURE CENTER
MISSOURI MASTER NATURALIST
MISSOURI STREAM TEAM
SIERRA CLUB
SOW WILD NATIVES
TREES RECREATIONAL CLIMBING COMPANY
URBAN TRAIL COMPANY

THANK YOU to our sponsors:
CONNIE ERB
GIBSON TRANSPORTATION
DAN and DEB HAUS
BRIAN and KELLY BIXBY
SOW WILD NATIVES
SHANNON ROBINSON

THANK YOU for raffle donations:
GEARAID
RESCUE-ESSENTIALS
SAWYER
KC WHEEL & PENNWAY PUTT
STARLIGHT
POWELL GARDENS
TARGET
BROTHERS ALL NATURAL
SCHEELS
NUTS.COM
THE PILGRIM CENTER
JEN'S BLISS
LAKESIDE NATURE CENTER
LINDA CALAHAN
GKCAAZK

See you on the trails 🦊 Friends of Fox Hollow

We're on! Please dress accordingly just in case we have any surprise sprinkles! Due to the forecast, we have canceled the food truck, and we will most likely be ending the event at 2 instead of 3 today. We're excited to see everyone in just a couple hours!!

RAIN OR SHINE!!

Fox Hollow Fest is Just around the corner! Come join us on Sunday, June 7th from 11 - 3 PM at Lakeside Nature Center to help raise money for our trail! It will be a day of fun outside with lots of opportunities for all to participate and enjoy.

Free Events: swap and shop, take home crafts, bird hikes, visiting partner booths and live music!

For purchase: native plants, raffle, tree climbing demo, beer garden and pizza truck

If you would like to donate garden or outdoor gear to our swap and shop, you can either bring the day of or drop off at the center all next week.

Our complete schedule and partners in attendance can be found here: https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/event/fox-hollow-fest-4/

Please! Leave dogs on their leashes and if you see a fawn and it's quiet and laying down, it is OK!!
Questions: www.lakesidenaturecenter.org
816-513-8960

Now more than ever, please keep all dogs on leads. Fawns are making their presence known in our Sanctuary. If you see one of these wee ones alone, please walk by. The fawn is not lost or abandoned. A doe will leave her fawn in a quiet place while she forages. Thank you!

Photo credit: Laurie Klimasewiski

Friends! Lakeside Nature Center is hiring!

Naturalist (Recreation Leader) (Job Opening #523530)
Parks & Recreation Department, Environmental Services Division Pay Range: starting at $16.12 per hour
Work Location: Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd Schedule: 5 days a week, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. *Permanent schedule to be determined
Application Deadline: June 04, 2026

What you’ll do: Assist with the daily care of display and education animal ambassadors and support operations of the wildlife rehabilitation hospital to ensure animal health, safety, and welfare.

Support the development and implementation of animal welfare assessments, behavioral enrichment activities, and training programs for education animals to promote humane care and learning outcomes.

Prepare for and participate in environmental education programs, guided tours, and nature hikes to engage visitors and support conservation education.

Support front-of-house operations by answering phones, assisting customers, working the front desk, collecting fees, issuing receipts, and responding to visitor questions to ensure positive guest experiences.

Assist with general facility operations, including cleaning, maintaining safe public areas, and ensuring public safety guidelines are followed.

Maintain records of work activities and assist with other duties as assigned by the Center Director to support smooth daily operations.

Works on weekends, potential holidays, and schedule adjustments with notice.

What success looks like: Animals are cared for safely, consistently, and in accordance with welfare standards.

Educational programs and visitor interactions are engaging, accurate, and professional.

Front desk and customer service operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Public spaces remain safe, clean, and welcoming for visitors.

Supervisors can rely on you to be flexible, dependable, and attentive to detail.
What you get

Hands-on experience in animal care, environmental education, and public engagement.

Opportunities to build skills in conservation, wildlife education, and customer service.

Work that is active, varied, and purpose driven.

Why this role matters: The Nature Center connects the community to local wildlife and conservation efforts. This role helps ensure animals receive proper care, visitors learn about environmental stewardship, and the facility remains safe and welcoming. Your work supports education, conservation awareness, and positive public experiences.

REQUIRES: At least 16 years of age. May be required to possess a valid state-issued driver’s license in accordance with City of KCMO policies. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen as prescribed by the City. Residence with-in the limits of Kansas City, MO. (Up to 9 months is given to allow for residency to be established in Kansas City, MO)

Apply online at www.kcmo.gov/jobs EOE. The City of Kansas City, Missouri is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

*Applicants with previous experience and/or with related degrees wll be given preference.

KCMO Career Center | CITY OF KANSAS CITY | OFFICIAL WEBSITE A career with the City of Kansas City, Missouri offers you an opportunity to serve and make a difference in our city. Kansas City, Missouri is a growing, world-class community of just over 500,000 residents and is the central hub for a thriving bi-state, 18-county metropolitan area of 2.5 million re...

🦅 North America's smallest falcon used to hunt from every fence post and telephone wire in the country. Since 1970, we've lost half of them. While bald eagles, ospreys, and red-tailed hawks all bounced back from the DDT era, the American kestrel kept declining — quietly, with almost no one noticing.

The leading suspect is vanishing grasshopper populations. But the fix starts with a cavity she can nest in.

🦅 The build:
- Interior at least 9" x 9" floor, 15" tall
- Entry hole 3" diameter
- ¾" untreated pine or plywood
- 2" of wood shavings on the floor — she doesn't build a nest
- Ventilation holes near the top, drainage holes in the floor
- Hinged panel for annual cleanout

🦅 The placement:
- 10-30 feet high on a pole or isolated tree
- Face entry south or southeast
- Open field, pasture, or meadow with short grass — she hunts from above
- Clear sightline in front of the entry for takeoff and landing
- At least 100 yards from tree lines — Cooper's hawks ambush kestrels near woodland edges

🦅 What to expect:
- Install by late winter — males begin scouting cavities in early spring
- She hovers over open fields on rapidly beating wings, scanning for grasshoppers
- 4-5 eggs per clutch, incubation takes about 30 days
- You'll hear her rapid "klee-klee-klee" call before you ever see her

Every other raptor in America recovered. This one's still waiting — and a box in the right field could be the reason she stays. 🌿

Hello friends! We are in desperate need of newspaper. If you have any please drop it off anytime from 9-4. Thanks in advance!!

We are just over 1 month out until the 4th annual Fox Hollow Fest on Sunday June 7th! Be sure to check out our website for the complete schedule of the day's activities:
https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/event/fox-hollow-fest-4/

New this year: hands on Tree Climbing demonstrations, bird hikes, a Swap 'N Shop and our debut of the band The Craftsmen!
Come celebrate the outdoors with us🦊