The Rules, What Everyone Should Know
This is a private nonprofit nature sanctuary with 100 acres of land. This means we are not supported by city, state, or federal government tax dollars. The Missouri Department of Conservation leases us the Rush Creek Conservation area, but they do not pay for operating costs.
A Few Guidelines
To help ensure that the Nature Sanctuary operates within our mission and visits are enjoyable for all, please follow these rules:
Please park in designated areas only. Register at the Nature Center each time you visit. Please picnic only at the picnic shelter and carry out all trash as no trash cans are on site. The preserve is private property so be aware of and leave at the posted closing time or you may be ticketed.
The Wildlife Sanctuary is designed for hiking, nature study, and observation only. Stay on the trails to protect habitat. No motorized vehicles, bicycles, roller blades, or skateboards are allowed on the trails. Swimming, wading, and fishing in the creek or pond is not permitted. Please use caution when hiking—be aware of possible hazards in any natural area such as slippery rocks, uneven terrain, and insects.
To protect our wildlife, NO PETS are allowed on the premises, including inside cars. Do not release any plants or animals at The Wildlife Sanctuary as this spreads disease and invasive species. Finally, collection of ANY items from the premises is not permitted. This includes flowers, plants, seeds and berries, mushrooms, insects, animals, rocks, fossils, and sticks.
NO smoking anywhere in the park, thank you for your support.
Permission for photography at MLTNS
(Valid for one day/one family or group or person.)
$25.00
Taking photos of families and or friends – please make this donation to support the Wildlife Sanctuary each session for each individual or group. All photographers should donate to a private non-profit each time you take photos at their site. The Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary donation is $25/family, individual or group.
The Nature Sanctuary
Trails:
We have about 4 miles of trails. Most of the trails are less than a mile in length. A map of the hiking trails is available in the visitor boxes with the guest register.
We have two asphalt trails, one of which is ADA accessible. The ADA accessible trail (a.k.a. Rush Creek Trail) is about a 1 mile round-trip from the picnic shelter, pictured above, to the creek overlook and back. Trails are open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During summer months, trails are open until 8 p.m.
Nature Center:
Located at the end of the driveway is the Nature Center. Inside are pleasant things such as: restrooms, drinking fountains, exhibits (including live animals), classrooms, and a gift shop. The Nature Center hours are:
Tuesday – Saturday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday & Monday
Closed
Fees:
There are no fees to tour the building or explore the grounds, but a requested donation of $5 per vehicle or $2 per person when there are four or more people, thank you. Donations and fees are the sole supply for funding operations, MLTNS does not receive tax dollars. To really help, please purchase an annual membership.
Programs:
The Nature Sanctuary offers a wide variety of public and private programs. Many of these are listed monthly in our newsletter. We offer public programs for all ages; we also offer private programs for birthday parties, scout groups, and school field trips. If you would like more information brochures are available at the front desk.