Discover Nature Events

Peanut, a red-eared slider, was found in 1993 (estimated at 9 years when she was found) with a 6-pack soda ring stuck to her shell, causing her shell to grow in the shape of a peanut.

Stop in at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center to meet Peanut, enjoy some birthday cake, learn how we can stop this from happening, participate in crafts, and participate in litter pickups at Powder Valley and possible surrounding areas (MODOT No MOre Trash! bags will be provided). For every bag of trash picked up, you will be entered in a raffle for prizes.

Please register each individual attending so we can plan accordingly for cake and other supplies.

Now you see them, now you don’t! Animals of all kinds can blend in and hide in their habitats. How do they do that? We will find out by taking a close look at some of these animals in disguise. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0-2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature. If you are participating in Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color” this program earns a red wildlife bead.

Meet a common pond resident that can pack a powerful bite. Join us as we learn more about the eastern snapping turtle and how they benefit both people and their natural community. If you are participating in Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color” this program earns a red wildlife bead. Please make sure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians. If you are participating in Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color” this program earns a red wildlife bead.

Experience the sounds of the night during a moderate hike at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. We will hike the Busch Hiking/Biking Trail which is approximately 3 ½ miles in length. We may hear coyotes howling, and also hear 2 or 3 species of owls calling their mates.

Please dress for the weather and bring a small flashlight.

Red, blue, gray, and brown. All the little birds flock to your backyard in search of food. Give them a gift for the holidays by learning more about them and making them a special treat. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0-2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.

Golds, greens, yellows, browns, and maybe an orange, peach, or red.

In celebration of "A Year in Color" Cape Nature Center offered a monthly class during 2022 focused on dyeing fiber with materials found and harvested nearby. We're at the end of our journey and must do something with our variety of sample skeins.

This program is open to participants of the Dyeing for Color series and will focus on using your dyed fiber to start a finger weaving, crocheting, or small loom weaving project. Please bring all, or most, of your dyed sample skeins to this program as we will only have a small amount of dyed yarn available.

Investigate the amazing lives of Missouri owls. We will explore the special features that make these feathered flyers excellent night-time hunters. Discover whoooo’s in an owl’s food chain by dissecting a real owl pellet.

Investigate the amazing lives of Missouri owls. We will explore the special features that make these feathered flyers excellent night-time hunters. Discover whoooo’s in an owl’s food chain by dissecting a real owl pellet.

This class is a 12 month program that will meet once a month all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques as we explore some of the most stunning and unique Winged Things found in the beautiful landscapes of Missouri.

By signing up, you are committing to attend all twelve of the monthly sessions so that you will be able to complete all 15 blocks for an entire quilt.

Classes will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

You will need to have your own embroidery hoop and needle. We will have light boards and Frixion pens available for tracing the patterns.

For those participating in the Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color,” this program will earn a purple arts bead.

On a cold winter’s morning, there is nothing like having a breakfast of black oil sunflower seeds, or maybe a hot cup of coffee and a sweet roll. That would, of course, depend upon whether you are bird or human! So, while the birds feed outside, we’ll enjoy the coffee and sweet rolls as we learn how to identify them. We will discuss common winter birds in Missouri such as woodpeckers and sparrows, as well as rare winter birds such as the snowy owl, red breasted nuthatch, and pine siskin! We will finish up the presentation by discussing the Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science opportunity to report the birds in your backyard.

**This is a beginner's guide to backyard/winter birding in Missouri, but everyone is welcome to attend.

***Register each person attending individually.

Experience the sounds of the night during a moderate hike at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. We will hike the Busch Hiking/Biking Trail which is approximately 3 ½ miles in length. We may hear coyotes howling, and also hear 2 or 3 species of owls calling their mates.

Please dress for the weather and bring a small flashlight.

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians.

Every four years or so these winter visitors make their way down to Missouri and it is always a treat to see one. Learn all about the behaviors and habits of these beautiful owls. Get an up-close look at the amazing features these owls have that help them to hunt in frigid temperatures by studying our taxidermy mount. We will not be viewing a live snowy owl. Please make sure that your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive a link to the virtual program.