Discover nature with ‘Tree Wars: The Forest Menace’ at Cape Girardeau Nature Center

CAPE GIRARDEAU Mo – Light-sabers and beetle troopers will be used to interpret conservation messages at the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center’s annual Creatures of the Night event Oct. 28 and 29. MDC will host the free event titled “Tree Wars: The Forest Menace” at the Nature Center from 6:30-9:30 p.m. both evenings.

“This will be a wonderful event that will appeal to multiple generations, much like the Star Wars movies themselves. We hope people will enjoy seeing these familiar characters come to life as the creatures that inhabit Missouri forests, good or bad, and what roles they play in Southeastern Missouri,” said MDC Naturalist Greg Jacobs.

Each fall the MDC hosts an event with a new theme, usually based on a movie, play, or TV show, and adapted to highlight conservation issues in Missouri. This year’s event, based on the Star Wars movies, will involve light sabers, beetle-troopers and other cosmic creatures in an effort to bring attention to potential threats to Missouri forests, according to Jacobs. The event is a collaborative effort by Nature Center staff and volunteers, he said.

“While ‘Tree Wars’ is sure to be entertaining, it’s also meant to be informative and is intended to educate Missourians about the importance and relevance of conservation issues within our state,” Jacobs said.

Free tickets will be available upon arrival to the Nature Center, redeemable for a half hour guided tour where the action begins along one of the nature trails and also for entrance to the Cantina, where participants can enjoy themed entertainment and activities while they wait for their tour. The last tour is scheduled to depart at 9 p.m.

For more information contact the MDC’s Nature Center in Cape Girardeau at (573) 290-5218 or go online to www.MissouriConservation.org.