Discover Nature

6 Ideas for Family Fun

To find more events near you, call your regional office, or visit mdc.mo.gov and choose your region.

Fall Family Canoeing

Oct. 4, Saturday, 1–3 p.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701Registration required, call 573-290-5218Ages 7 and older, families

Learn basic canoe strokes as we paddle around the lake. We’ll provide the canoes and safety equipment, you provide the enthusiasm!

Nature Center at Night: Nature on the Hunt

Oct. 9, Thursday, 5–8 p.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 No registration required, call 573-290-5218 for more information All ages, families

Hunting seasons come and go for us, but nature is always on the hunt or being hunted. Some animals stalk their prey while others lie in wait. Come on in to where camouflage is always in vogue. Short presentations at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. with come-and-go displays.

Howloween Special Event

Oct. 17, Friday, 6–9 p.m. Kansas City Region, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64110Walk-in (all ages), call 816-759-7300 for more information

Our big event for fall will be on a Friday night for the first time ever! Take a hike on the Wild Side Walk to meet some of Missouri’s favorite creepy crawlies. Kids will have a howling good time exploring nature stations like Track or Treat, The Bone Yard, and a live owl program by Lakeside Nature Center. It will be a howling fun, free, and unforgettable event.

Discover Nature: Backpacking

Oct. 18–19, 8 a.m. Saturday–5 P.M. Sunday, Ozark Region, Twin Pines Conservation Education Center/Ozark Trail, RT 1 Box 1998, Winona, MO 65588 Registration required, call 573-325-1381 for more information Ages 12 and older. Children younger than 16 must have a parent or guardian present.

Complete an overnight backpacking trip on the Ozark Trail. All backpacking and camping gear will be provided. If you have ever wondered what it would take to get out and enjoy an overnight trip, this is a fun and affordable way to learn the ropes.

Nature’s Food Plots

Oct. 22, Wednesday, 5–8 p.m. Northeast Region, Moberly, MO, location provided at later date. Registration required, call Ted Seiler at 660-385-2616, ext. 118

Lead by Department Private Land Conservationist Ted Seiler, this workshop will cover traditional food plots, but will focus on managing natural foods for deer and other wildlife to maximize food potential on the farm and minimize time and money required.

Night Sounds

Oct. 24, Friday, 7–9 p.m. Southwest Region, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery and Conservation Center, 483 Hatchery Road, Branson, MO 65616 Reservations required, call 417-334-4865, ext. 0 All ages, families.

This annual Halloween-style guided hike will feature the natural sounds of night. Several stations will help you learn the sounds of a variety of animals and their meanings. After the hike, there will be activities and treats in the Conservation Center.

Discover Nature Photo Contest

Show the world your idea of discovering nature in Missouri. Using your Google+, Instagram, or Twitter account, tag your Missouri nature photos with “#MDCdiscovernature.” Your photos will appear on our website at mdc.mo.gov/node/26255, where you can also read the contest rules. Every month, Department staff will select and post a winning photo. We’ll publish all of the monthly winners in the January 2015 issue of the Conservationist.