Nature for All, Nature Forever


For 100 years, Shaw Nature Reserve has offered unparalleled opportunities to experience the natural landscapes of Missouri. 

It began in 1925, when the Missouri Botanical Garden purchased five adjoining farms to provide a refuge for plant collections threatened by industrial pollution, and it remains a haven for plants and wildlife today—as well as a national leader for ecological restoration, native plant horticulture, and environmental education. 

Join us throughout 2025 as we celebrate this unique destination for all who love the great outdoors.
 

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Shaw Nature Reserve Centennial Celebration Sponsors

GOLD SPONSORS
International Paper | Kling Family Foundation | Nature Partners Foundation

SILVER SPONSOR
Magnificent Missouri

Historic black and white photo of smoggy city skyline

From Smog to Sanctuary


By the start of the 20th century, rapid industrialization and a population dependent on coal resulted in continual smog over St. Louis, killing many orchids, chrysanthemums, and other plants at the Missouri Botanical Garden. It became clear that the Garden needed a location away from the city to protect its sensitive plants.

While the city's infamous air pollution reached its peak in the 1930s, the orchid collection thrived in its new temporary home in Gray Summit, 35 miles west of the city.

What began as an emergency measure to save a single collection has transformed into a lasting legacy of conservation, education, and natural beauty that continues to enrich our community a century later.

Pink orchid blossom

Orchid Show

February 1–March 9
Missouri Botanical Garden

View specimens from the Garden’s historic orchid collection and learn more about the founding of Shaw Nature Reserve at the 2025 Orchid Show.
 

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Gravel trail through green woodlands with sun ray shining down

Where Nature and Discovery Meet


Today, the Nature Reserve continues to be a haven for plants and wildlife and a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with nature. Across its expansive grounds, visitors discover a tapestry of ecosystems: pristine prairies wave in the summer breeze, wetlands teem with life, sun-dappled glades reveal resplendent blooms, and woodland trails invite exploration. With 18 miles of hiking trails weaving through these varied habitats, every visit offers a new perspective on Missouri's natural beauty.

The crown jewel of Nature Reserve’s native plant collection is the Whitmire Wildflower Garden, showcasing more than 650 species of Missouri's native flora across its ten acres. For younger naturalists, the Nature Explore Classroom and Sense of Wonder Woodland provide dedicated spaces where children can forge their own connections with nature through hands-on discovery.  
 

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Rural boardwalk in summer

Shaw Nature Reserve: Nature in Focus


February 1–December 31
Missouri Botanical Garden

See the Nature Reserve through the lens of talented photographers in this exhibition of stunning images.
 

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Mother and child examining plants in garden setting

Growing a Living Legacy


The next hundred years see Shaw Nature Reserve nurturing more than plants—we’re growing a future where conservation, education, and community intersect.

A Commitment to Native Biodiversity
Our strategic plan calls for all 2,400 acres of the Nature Reserve to be actively managed to support and enhance native ecosystems by 2030. This comprehensive approach ensures that every corner of the property contributes to the rich tapestry of Missouri's natural heritage.

Champions of Native Plant Horticulture
Through demonstration gardens, workshops, and community outreach, the Nature Reserve continues to show how natural landscapes can be both stunning and sustainable. Inspiring others to embrace native plants in their own gardens extends our conservation impact far beyond our boundaries.

Cultivating Environmental Stewards
Today's young visitors to Shaw Nature Reserve are tomorrow's conservation leaders. Through immersive experiences, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections with nature, we're nurturing a generation that understands the value of our natural world and has the knowledge and passion to protect it.
 

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Support the Nature Reserve

Help the Nature Reserve thrive for the next hundred years with your support. 

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