Discover Nature Events

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful, embroidery techniques as we explore some iconic, as well as secretive wildflowers in Missouri. These flowers will range from our Ozark mountain glades to our lowland swamps. Attending each class will acquaint you with each flower’s habitat needs, bloom period, and light requirements. In addition, you will learn more about who pollinates the plant and who might depend on the plant for food. Come learn about pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumble bees, moths and even gnats!

By signing up you are committing to attend all 12 monthly sessions, with the opportunity to complete 17 blocks.

Programs will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm or 6:00 pm at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Please sign up for the time that works best for you.

You will need to supply your own embroidery hoop, needle, and thread. We will have patterns, fabric, light boards, and Frixion pens available for tracing the patterns. A similar virtual program is also offered if you wish to provide your own supplies.

Missouri is home to a few venomous and poisonous organisms. These organisms are often mistaken for harmless ones. Log on to learn more about these species.

This is a virtual program. A Webex link will be sent to registered participants.

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful, embroidery techniques as we explore some iconic, as well as secretive wildflowers in Missouri. These flowers will range from our Ozark mountain glades to our lowland swamps. Attending each class will acquaint you with each flower’s habitat needs, bloom period, and light requirements. In addition, you will learn more about who pollinates the plant and who might depend on the plant for food. Come learn about pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumble bees, moths and even gnats!

By signing up you are committing to attend all 12 monthly sessions, with the opportunity to complete 17 blocks.

Programs will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm or 6:00 pm at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Please sign up for the time that works best for you.

You will need to supply your own embroidery hoop, needle, and thread. We will have patterns, fabric, light boards, and Frixion pens available for tracing the patterns. A similar virtual program is also offered if you wish to provide your own supplies.

If you missed it the first time, here it is again! Please join us for a virtual program during lunch time to celebrate birds!

From heroic acts to being messengers, and symbols from good and bad, birds are important characters in legends, folklore, and mythology. Celebrate our feathered friends by discovering the beauty and glory of birds in Missouri. Learn how their histories, personalities, and their influence has impacted how they are perceived and seen by mankind. This program will highlight a few raptors and waterfowl species.

An email will be sent with the link a day before the program by noon. If you register after that time, another link will be sent the morning of the program to ensure everyone has the correct link to join.

Volunteer Naturalist Myra Scroggs will help you find some common nesting birds during this indoor and outdoor program. Ages 7 to adult.

Explore the fascinating world of animals as we compare and contrast wild animals, pets, and farm animals through interactive play and sensory activities. Discover what it takes for wild animals to survive and how we can help. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Join us at Rockwoods Reservation for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Rockwoods Reservation, test your skills by learning archery. Learn to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat and make your own cool treat inspired by nature. Cool off during the Stream Exploration, using nets to search for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Sunscreen, bug spray, and boots are recommended for the stream.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the Pavilion at Rockwoods Reservation.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Join our Community Forester, Urban Wildlife Biologist and Missouri River Bird Observatory to learn more about Kansas City’s tree and wildlife species. We will start in a classroom and review our most common yard and street tree species, common tree problems, tree resources, species to plant, and urban wildlife basics. Second half of the program will include birdwatching and tree identification tour.

Explore the fascinating world of animals as we compare and contrast wild animals, pets, and farm animals through interactive play and sensory activities. Discover what it takes for wild animals to survive and how we can help. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Learn some identification tips and birding basics, including how to properly use binoculars. We’ll start with a short presentation in the classroom and then hit the trails to look for birds. Ages 7 to adult.