The Missouri River Bird Observatory and Missouri State Parks are hosting an event on Saturday, January 13 from 10 a.m. until Noon at Arrow Rock State Historic Site.

The event will be set up in stations so you can make-n-take samples of bath salts and laundry detergent. There will also be a homemade chocolate sauce demonstration and hot cocoa. Participants are invited to share their favorite cookie recipe and samples as well. Prizes will be given for the most delicious cookie and the most creative cookie. All ages are welcome to this free program however space is limited. Children under age 16 need to be supervised by an adult.

5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste currently covers 40 percent of the Earth’s oceans, causing both ecological damage and harm to wildlife. 1 million marine birds and 100,000 marine animals die each year from eating plastic. About 89 percent of the plastic in the waterways are single use: cigarette butts, plastic drinking bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, plastic lids, straws and stirrers, other types of plastic bags, and foam take-away containers. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. The EPA reports that “every bit of plastic ever made still exists.”

This event aims to help people learn fun ways to improve habitat for wildlife. The Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitor Center is located at 39521 Visitor Center Drive in Arrow Rock, Mo 65320. For more information about this event, you may call the park office at 660-837-3330.