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MDC Nature Centers


Missouri's conservation nature centers offer modern exhibits on nature and the environment. Nature centers can be found in St. Louis, Blue Springs, Springfield, Jefferson City and Cape Girardeau. These centers have hosted millions of visitors.

Visitors to these conservation nature centers connect with nature in a variety of ways, including:

  • taking a walk on an interpretative trail or a nature trail
  • learning about wildlife through live exhibits
  • attending workshops or classes on a multitude of conservation related topics

One of the newest centers, the Discovery Center in Kansas City, enables inner city residents to learn about conservation and stay in touch with nature.

Regardless of your age or interest, your nearby conservation nature center is a great place to reconnect with nature.

 Special Topics:

Events for Wednesday, July 9 - Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
Temporary Gallery Display
Tuesday, July 1 – Thursday, July 31, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Little Acorns Plus
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, July 9
Little Acorns: Neat Night Jars
Friday, July 11, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Little Acorns: Neat Night Jars
Friday, July 11, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Getting Antsy
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 11
Getting Antsy
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 11
Mudpuppies-Playin' Possum
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Saturday, July 12
Little Acorns
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 11
Hiking Club
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Bored? Measure A Board
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Little Acorns: Neat Night Jars
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Flying High Butterflies
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
Discovery Hike-Shepard Point Trail
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Sunday, July 13
Discovery Station-Outdoor Hazards
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center
Story Tree
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center
Primitive Skills Series: Making Cordage
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Volunteer Naturalist Interest Meeting
Monday, July 14, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Conservation TEEN Club: Niangua Float Trip
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Conservation Kids' Club - SUPERBUGS
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center

Reserve your place for these upcoming events:

Events for Wednesday, July 16 - Thursday, October 16, 2008
Event and Date Location Reserve by:
Nature's Niche: Grow It and They Will Come
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Thursday, July 17
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, July 16
Little Acorns
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, July 16
1 - 2 - 3 Name That Tree
Friday, July 18, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Thursday, July 17
Little Acorns Plus
Friday, July 18, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Thursday, July 17
Backyard Reptiles
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Powder Valley Conservatio Nature Center Friday, July 18
Adults Only-What's Livin' In the Creek?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Sunday, July 20
Mudpuppies-Playin' Possum
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Tuesday, July 22
Shotgun Shooting Basics
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, July 21
Nature Journaling
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Thursday, July 24
Babes in the Woods
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, July 23
Racers-Gone Campin'
Friday, July 25, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 25
Carter and Connelley-Everybody Needs a River
Friday, July 25, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 25
Forest Art
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Saturday, July 26
Forest Art
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, July 25
If You Care, Leave Them There
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, July 30
Missouri Outdoor Families-Fishing with the Family
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center Thursday, July 31
Now Showing, "Jaws"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Monday, August 4
Little Acorns
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, August 4
Nature's Niche - Meramec Mussels
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Tuesday, August 5
Little Acorns Plus
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, August 6
Beginning Archery
Friday, August 8, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Thursday, August 7
Monarch Mysteries
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Saturday, August 9
Little Acorns
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, August 9
Babes in the Woods
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Monday, August 11
Little Acorns
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, August 13
Hangin' with Bats
Friday, August 15, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Thursday, August 14
Little Acorns Plus
Friday, August 15, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Thursday, August 14
Babes in the Woods
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Tuesday, August 19
Nature's Needlers
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, August 20
Family Fishing
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Friday, August 22
"Record Breaking" Day
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Runge Conservation Nature Center Saturday, August 30
Beginning Archery at Emmenegger
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Emmenegger Nature Park Friday, September 5
Nature's Niche: Beginning Archery at Emmenegger
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Emmenegger Nature Park Monday, September 8
Flashy Fliers
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, September 12
See-Point-Shoot! Tips for Scenic Photography
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Wednesday, September 17
Inside - Out
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Saturday, September 27
Basic Orienteering
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, September 26
Basic Orienteering
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Friday, September 26