Events

Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories. Join the Missouri Department of Conservation on June 7 for our annual family fishing night. Help your young ones pull fish from our kid’s pond and get a chance to reel in some fish from Cape Girardeau County Park North Pond. No registration or permit is necessary and equipment with instruction can be obtained at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. The weekend following this event, June 8 and 9, are Free Fishing Days so when you find out you love fishing you will be able to use the loaner pole program located at the Nature Center and fish even more for free. So join us and get hooked on fishing.

Walk-in (all ages) The Missouri Department of Conservation and Kansas City Police Department are partnering to offer a free movie experience at the Discovery Center. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs as a naturalist provides a short introductory program to get you connected with nature. The family friendly movie "Migration" will start at sunset with movie snacks available. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

This is a novice class for people who have little or no experience in handling and shooting a handgun. We will discuss safety, types of handguns, different parts of the handgun, the variety of calibers, ammunition, and marksmanship. Class includes range time.

Hunting may not only be a family tradition, but a personal privilege that everyone can enjoy. Hunting is basic to our nature. Hunting allows us to help control wildlife populations and fun projects for wildlife management. Hunting is also a safe and natural way to help each of us reconnect with nature and our surroundings. In this class, we will cover all the reasons to hunt, why its important, and explore myths about hunting.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Reservations began Friday, May 26

Join Missouri Department of Conservation as we present an afternoon of nature and art! Our urban habitats feature many great natural inspirations for artists on all levels. Learn about fireflies in St. Louis, then create a piece of inspiration to take home. Grab a friend or two, your older child/ren, or make it a date. No experience needed and we’ll provide all the materials necessary. We will be learning about owls and then creating a painting of one. Please register each person.

Do you like to draw, crochet, or journal? Do you like being outdoors? Join us as we combine the two and enjoy creating art in nature. Please bring your favorite art supplies, journals, and water bottle.

Walk-in (ages 12+) Nature provides incredible inspiration and one-of-a-kind supplies in our own backyards. As spring and summer colors have exploded at the Discovery Center, we've collected dried stems, flowers, leaves, grasses and more from our landscape to help you tap into your creative side. Explore a variety of colors and textures as you create your own natural summer garden lantern! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Ancestral Skills Specialist Don Brink will demonstrate how to start a fire without matches and butane. Learn multiple methods of fire-starting and try your hand at this age-old skill. All ages.

No reservations needed. Drop by any time during the program time.

Come and learn about the poisonous and venomous plant and animals found in the State of Missouri. We will discuss snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms, and everybody’s favorite, poison ivy. No reservations are needed, so drop by any time during the time noted.