Events

This class is a series of 12 program that meets once each month all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful, embroidery techniques as we explore some of the most iconic trees of southeast Missouri such as the bald cypress and white oak; as well as lesser-known trees like the cucumber magnolia, Ozark chestnut, and oaks and ashes native to our part of the state. Each block will feature a leaf with either its fruit or flower. At each class you will discover a new tree’s secret life history, habitat preferences, importance to wildlife and myriad uses by people through the ages.

By signing up you are committing to attend all 12 monthly sessions, with the opportunity to complete all 16 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 supply your own embroidery hoop and needle. We will have patterns, thread, light boards, and Frixion pens available for tracing the patterns.

Join us in the Runge auditorium for an exclusive 30-minute preview showing various clips of Ken Burns’ new film "The American Buffalo." The full two-part, four-hour series will air on KMOS/PBS October 16-17. The film takes viewers on a journey through more than 10,000 years of North American history, tracing the animal’s evolution and its significance to Native Americans and the Great Plains landscape. No registration required. All ages

Want to know more about what you see and hear when you hike? Want to explore the Rock Quarry Trail with a group? Slow down and get more from your hikes than cardio exercise. Use easy free apps Seek and Merlin to help you to identify plants, insects, and birds when you hike.

Meet at the pavilion for an introduction.

Trail is 2 miles long, includes an elevation gain of 246 ft. In case of rain there may be a shallow stream water crossing.

Bring your phone with the apps already downloaded. For Merlin, download the bird pack for our area.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellant is recommended. Bring water and a magnifying glass or binoculars if you have them.

Please register each participant individually.

This program is for family’s who want to learn about campfire safety, s’mores, and stories to tell by the firelight! All ages are welcome, registration is required, and space is limited! We will meet at Walter Woods so bring a lawn chair, flashlight, everything else will be provided!

Gather ‘round ye olde campfire and let us tell you a story…. To welcome the first day of autumn, the Cape Girardeau Nature Center is lighting a campfire and inviting you to join us. Grab your family and gather ‘round as we read aloud nature-themed picture books, present a short program, and sing campfire songs at the nature center firepit. The nature center will provide refreshments.

MDC is hosting "A Step Back Into Ozark Life" event at Maramec Spring Park on Saturday, September 23. Sorghum molasses making, Dutch oven cooking, and wooden stir paddles are some of the Ozark crafts the public can enjoy participating in. Public can assist MDC staff in stripping sorghum cane of leaves and then feeding it through mill which extracts the fluid. The fluid is then heated by fire &/or steam which condenses it into a sticky sweet fluid called sorghum molasses. A steam engine will power the sorghum mill using a drive belt as well as provide steam to heat one of the condensing pans. Public can sample the final product with biscuits cooked in Dutch ovens along with fresh molasses cookies. Wooded stir paddles will be made on site with the same tools utilized by early settlers in the Ozarks. This is a wonderful program for all ages to see how people of the Ozark made life a little "sweeter" with resources they could grow.

There is a $5 park entrance fee per vehicle, per day. Maramec Spring Park is privately owned and operated by The James Foundation.

Registration in advance is preferred but will accept registration on-site. You are free to come and go as you please since the process of making sorghum molasses takes hours.

Forest 44 Conservation Area is 998-acres of rugged forest land situated on the northeastern-most extension of the Ozark Uplift. Join MDC Naturalist Andy Klingensmith as we explore the sights and sounds of this unique conservation area. Here we’ll find plants and animals typical of Ozark ecology. Several springs feed Williams Creek, which flows along the eastern portion of the area. Flowering dogwood and redbud trees add to the area’s natural beauty, especially in the springtime.

We'll hike the Dogwood Ridge trail~ 2 miles

Trails are mostly compacted dirt and rock with some elevation change.

We'll meet in the parking lot.

Good gear to have: Sturdy trail shoes, layered clothing, water bottle, backpack, camera, notebook, hiking poles.

Join us for a 3 mile hike thru the forests of the LaBarque Creek Conservation Area.

This area is known for its unique natural beauty and undisturbed habitat.

This hike is rated as moderate to difficult due to elevation change.

Dress for the weather. Bring water, snacks and binoculars for bird viewing.

Meet at the LaBarque Creek CA parking lot.

Join a Conservation Educator for a morning experiencing local butterflies and potentially contribute to the Citizen Science of tagging monarchs. Participants will learn about local butterflies, their lifecycles, role as pollinators, and monarchs’ unique journey to Mexico. Participants will use butterfly safe nets to capture butterflies they encounter. Monarchs will receive small tags with ID numbers. Tags helps scientists track monarch movements and population numbers. Dress for the weather. Insect repellent and long pants is recommended. Registration is required to participate. Look for us near the pond/shelter.

Enrich your life by nature immersion! Float on out to the prairie with a blanket/camp chair and some snacks to enjoy a shaded alcove, pleasant breezes and complete a butterfly survey to learn some beautiful new insects!