MDC Cape Nature Center prepares for Fall Festival

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will host a Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDC Naturalist Jordanya Brostoski said guests can expect live owl presentations, naturalist-led evening hikes, a campfire, fall treats, crafts and games.

"Autumn is a great time of year to be outdoors and to observe plants and animals getting ready for winter," Brostoski said. "We're celebrating these changes in nature during our Fall Festival and we invite people of all ages to come and celebrate with us."

Brostoski said guests can expect to spend an hour or two at the nature center trying out some of the many planned activities. A guest speaker from Free Again wildlife rehabilitation will give the live owl presentations and nature center naturalists and volunteers will lead short hikes along the White Oak Trace trail adjacent to the center.

"Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year and I love being able to share that with other people," Brostoski said. "Fall is a wonderful time for families to get outdoors together and to learn about the amazing plants and animals in our state."

The owl presentations will occur at 5:15, 6:15, and 7:15 p.m. and hikes will occur every 15 minutes throughout the evening, until 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather with comfortable shoes suitable for a mild hike.

Like all programs at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, this program is free of cost, due to the 1/8 of 1% Conservation Sales Tax.

For more information on the Fall Festival, contact the nature center at 573-290-5218. For information on other nature programs at the center go online to mdc.mo.gov/events/southeast.