Events

Back by popular demand, listen to Carter and Connelley fill the nature center with songs and stories about Missouri’s streams and their lives outdoors in the heartland. This musical duo has been entertaining audiences in southern Illinois and southeast Missouri for decades, why not join the fun? This is a perfect evening for the whole family.

This program is part of our “Nature Center at Night” series and the building and exhibits will remain open until 8pm.

Preparation of venison is key to a flavorful tasting dish. This class will demonstrate basic preparation of venison before cooking to please any picky eater. If you have too much venison and are running out of freezer space? Come and learn basic canning skills to preserve and make your deer tasty without the freezer burn.

Only registered participants may attend.

With the holiday season just around the corner, it will soon be time to decorate trees. Create your very own Christmas tree ornaments at this festive event. Use natural elements, such as bark, pinecones, and grasses, to make angels, reindeer, and other holiday-themed ornaments. Choose between following a set design or creating your own.

Join us to learn how to identify pecan trees and care for a pecan tree of your own. And learn to make your own cinnamon-flavored roasted pecans. Experience the perfect blend of warmth and sweetness in every bite, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Join MDC Private Land Conservationist Rachel Settle for a workshop focused on utilizing prescribed fire to manage habitat for deer, turkey, quail, pollinators, and other wildlife. Learn about the history of fire in Missouri and how fire can be implemented safely to meet wildlife habitat objectives. Resources for prescribed burning will also be discussed including cost-share programs, training, and Prescribed Burn Associations.

This is not the Prescribed Burning for Missouri Land Managers course and will not offer prescribed burn certification.

Nature is such a versatile medium for crafting! It’s full of vibrant colors and unique textures and patterns. We will use nature as our inspiration as we create crafts from natural objects. We’ll provide the supplies; you bring the enthusiasm and creativity!

Nature is such a versatile medium for crafting! It’s full of vibrant colors and unique textures and patterns. We will use nature as our inspiration as we create crafts from natural objects. We’ll provide the supplies; you bring the enthusiasm and creativity!

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.

The online "Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course" must be completed before attending this event. You can register for the online portion here: https://www.hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn/

The online course has a $25 charge to a third-party host (not MDC), and can be completed in approximately 2 – 4 hours. Please bring your certificate of completion to the Demonstration Field Day.

At this event, the participants will learn about burn equipment, burn line installation, safe weather parameters, ignition operations, and other techniques to safely conduct a prescribed burn. A demonstration burn will be conducted if weather allows, so please dress accordingly with safety glasses, leather boots (no steel toe), leather gloves, and a long sleeve shirt and pants made of natural fibers such as cotton or wool. Water and snacks will be provided. Please bring a sack lunch with you. Demo burn will take place on Current River CA, directions to location will be provided at a later date.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly…the holidays are just around the corner and we’re in the mood to decorate! We’ll use nature’s resources to create wonderful winter wreaths, swags, and garlands. You provide a grapevine wreath (you choose the size and shape you want), and we’ll provide everything else to do your decorating. Grapevine wreaths can be found online or at local craft stores.

Sessions are 2 hours long. Tools will be provided (pruners, pliers, and wire cutters). Some gloves will be available, but you may want to bring your own leather or garden gloves. You may bring your own tools if you wish.

Only registered participants may attend program.