Events

Turn your next deer into your own custom gun sling!

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to the hide after a harvest—or wanted to use more of the animal you worked hard to take—this hands-on workshop is for you. You’ll learn about the process of how to transform a raw deer hide into durable, beautiful leather using traditional tree-bark tanning techniques that have been used for generations.

We’ll dig into the history of hide tanning and how Native American and European cultures developed different methods to create leather for clothing, tools, and hunting gear. Then you’ll put those skills into action by designing and creating your own leather gun sling—cutting, shaping, and finishing it yourself.

By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a one-of-a-kind piece of gear, a deeper appreciation for using the whole animal, and practical, old-school skills you can keep using for future hunts and projects.

Spots are limited—come make something you’ll actually use in the field.

Paddle on over and learn about canoeing. Participants will enjoy a short lesson about this beloved paddle sport and enjoy a variety of canoe and water-themed crafts and activities.

Little Acorns programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and young children to the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

Paddle on over and learn about canoeing. Participants will enjoy a short lesson about this beloved paddle sport and enjoy a variety of canoe and water-themed crafts and activities.

Little Acorns programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and young children to the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

Paddle on over and learn about canoeing. Participants will enjoy a short lesson about this beloved paddle sport and enjoy a variety of canoe and water-themed crafts and activities.

Little Acorns programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and young children to the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at archery but haven’t had the chance? Or maybe you tried it out as a kid at summer camp but haven’t picked up a bow since. Here’s your chance to learn the basics of shooting a compound bow alongside other beginners interested in this new skill. We’ll discuss bow mechanics and safety before we give you the opportunity to practice your aim.

Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories. Our Discover Nature-Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part fishing instruction series that helps families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own. This program will be hosted at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

This program will cover Lessons 3 and 4 which are best completed after Lessons 1 and 2 (May 8). Participants will learn about Missouri freshwater ecosystems, common fish, artificial lures, and the regulations regarding fishing in Missouri. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license and those who have already completed Lessons 1 and 2 will receive fishing related rewards.

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. Discover the beauty of Missouri’s native stream life—one stitch at a time. In this hands-on program, participants will learn simple yet elegant embroidery techniques while exploring the rich biodiversity found in our local waterways. Over the course of the program, you'll create 15 unique quilt blocks, each one celebrating a different native species that calls Missouri’s streams home.

By signing up you are committing to attend all 12 monthly sessions, with the opportunity to complete 15 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.

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. Discover the beauty of Missouri’s native stream life—one stitch at a time. In this hands-on program, participants will learn simple yet elegant embroidery techniques while exploring the rich biodiversity found in our local waterways. Over the course of the program, you'll create 15 unique quilt blocks, each one celebrating a different native species that calls Missouri’s streams home.

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.

Explore both the water and the woods of St. Joe State Park. Participants will enjoy a 2-mile hike on Hickory Ridge Trail followed by a 1.25-mile paddle on Monsanto Lake Water Trail. Participants can experience the area’s unique and historical significance as you hike and paddle past pine tree woodlands, dolomite glades, and the Old Lead Belt. Trail conditions include unpaved trails, rough terrain, and inclines more than 10%. No water experience needed. A brief introduction on kayak safety and paddling will be given before we get on the water.

Participants will carpool from the nature center. The nature center will provide kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices.

In the wild, growing up isn’t easy and some animals seem to grow up in strange ways. From insects that spend 17 years as babies to opossums that live in their mother’s pouch; we’ll explore the different lives of wild animals. Discover how they grow and change through each life stage as we challenge ourselves to see what it takes to grow up wild. Please wear shoes and clothes that can get muddy since a portion of this program will take place near water.