Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center
Missouri Department of Conservation
Joplin, MO




Photos: Jeff Cantrell/MDC
Size: 1/2 acre
Year established: 2007
Year induced: 2021
Category: Professionally managed
Entrance Fee: Free
Description: Shoal Creek Education Center showcases native plants used in a variety of different settings. The landscaping in the front grounds of the Education Center, flower beds along the front and back of the building, and the official “Monarch Waystation” are composed entirely of natives. All of these gardens have mass plantings of eye-catching native plants such as blazingstars, prairie dock, western sunflower, and asters, which attract many visitors. Photographers can consistently be observed taking photos in the mornings and early evenings in the yardscape. The front landscaping has wide mowed paths to invite the public to walk among the plantings and school children to journal and observe insect life. Additionally, the grounds feature restored wetlands, woodlands, and savanna areas, and they play an important role in community citizen science projects, Missouri Master Naturalist training, a Monarch Conservation Festival every September, and frequent Naturescaping talks and workshops.
What Makes this Garden Excellent:
All of these areas demonstrate to visitors how well-maintained native gardens can thrive. The front landscaping and a few of the flower beds in the front of the building are periodically burned. However, the monarch butterfly garden (consisting of nectar and host plants) and flowerbeds along the wildlife viewing area in the back are not maintained with prescribed fire. All areas are frequently spot sprayed for fescue, Johnson grass, and sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). The flowerbeds are maintained with frequent hand-weeding for a manicured look. Some of the tall grasses in the front are trimmed; however, mostly grasses of shorter heights have been planted amongst the forbs. These include splitbeard grass, little bluestem, buffalo grass, and prairie dropseed.
Ten Great Native Plants to See Here:
Andropogon ternarius (splitbeard bluestem)
Antennaria parlinii (pussytoes)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed)
Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower)
Glandularia canadensis (rose verbena)
Penstemon cobaea (purple beardtongue)
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (slender mountain mint)
Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum (hairy mountain mint)
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (aromatic aster)
Signage: Several interpretive signs teach visitors about the importance of natives.
Accessibility: Wide-mowed paths and some paved walkways
Location:
201 W Riviera Drive
Joplin, MO 64804
Coordinates:
37°01’44.7″N 94°31’02.1″W
37.029077, -94.517262
For More Information:
MDC Education Center: (417) 629-3434
Contact person: Jeff Cantrell jeff.cantrell@mdc.mo.gov
Learn more and find area hours on the MDC webpage.