PARKS DEPARTMENT TO LEAD GUIDED TREE TOUR WALKS
IDENTIFYING PLANTS, ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPES

St. Charles County Parks Department - Join fellow arborists and tree enthusiasts as the St. Charles County Parks Department's Forestry Staff leads guided Tree Tour walks to identify trees and shrubs found throughout our region.  Traveling along the natural surface trails at various County parks on selected Thursday evenings in June and July, these free, two-hour walks are open to the public - members of the International Society of Arboriculture will receive two Continuing Education Unit credits for participating in each walk.

Led by Park Forestry Supervisor Ben Grossman (an ISA certified arborist and municipal specialist) and his staff of Anton Weinman and Nick Dziuba, the leisurely walks will focus on native and non-native plant species, the environmental landscape of the region, and planting tips.  Each week, the walks will travel through a different County park to discuss the natural woodland and forest communities.  Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite Missouri tree-identification book (staff will be using Don Kurz' Trees of Missouri Field Guide), insect repellent, water, and clothing appropriate for the weather and hiking conditions.

Four Tree Tour walks are planned in June and July:

Location                                                                                  Date/Time

Quail Ridge Park (Shelter #2)                                                   Thursday, June 4 at 6 p.m.
Indian Camp Creek Park (Shelter #6)                                       Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m.
Matson Hill Park (Meet at Park Entrance)                                 Thursday, July 2 at 6 p.m.
Klondike Park (Shelter #1)                                                       Thursday, July 16 at 6 p.m.

Pre-registration for these evening walks is encouraged.  To register, please visit www.stccparks.org or call (636) 949-7535.  The walks will be held on a weather-permitting basis.  In case of bad weather or wet trail conditions, please call the Department's Program/Trail Closure hotline at (636) 949-7475.

The St. Charles County Parks Department will offer nearly 150 programs for County residents and visitors this year at each of the eight parks open to the public.  Including guided hikes and bike rides, events for children, educational lectures, and other natural recreational opportunities, the majority of these events are free and open to everyone.  For more information or for registration, please call the St. Charles County Parks Department at (636) 949-7535 or visit www.stccparks.org.

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