Discover Nature

6 Ideas for Family Fun

To find more events near you, call your regional office (phone numbers on Page 3), or visit mdc.mo.gov and choose your region.

1. Sausage and Jerky Making Jan. 7 • Wednesday • 6–8 p.m. Kansas City Region, Parma Woods Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, 15900 NW River Road, Parkville, MO 64152 Registration required, call 816-891-9941All ages. It’s easy to make great sausage and jerky. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, there is always something to learn. We’ll share equipment options and take you through the basic processes of making different sausages and jerky.
2. Nature Center at Night: Mountain Lion Mysteries Jan. 8 • Thursday • 5–8 p.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701No registration, call 573-290-5218 for information. All ages, families Come in out of the cold to learn about the mountain lion’s mysteries. There will be hands-on displays and a presentation at 6:30 p.m.
3. Introduction to Skeet Shooting Jan. 10 • Saturday • 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Kansas City Region, Lake City Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center, 28505 E. Truman Road, Buckner, MO 64016Registration required, call 816-249-3194Ages 12 and older Need to improve your wing shooting skills? Try skeet shooting! It’s a great way to improve your basic shotgun skills as well as your hit ratio on winged game. You may even pick up a new sport at the same time.
4. Tree Tapping Jan. 17 • Saturday • 10–11:30 a.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701Registration required (beginning Jan. 2), call 573-290-5218Ages 7 and older, families‘Tis the season for maple sugaring! Before you can enjoy sweet maple syrup, you’ve got to collect the sap. Learn how to identify sugar maple trees and select the right ones. Then go outside to try your hand at tapping the trees. This program covers only the tree tapping portion. Join us Feb. 14 for our maple sugaring event to learn the rest of the syrup story.
5. Short-Eared Owl Hike Jan. 17 • Saturday • 4:30–6 P.M. Southwest Region, Joplin Office in the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, 201 W. Riviera, Suite B., Joplin, MO 64804Event held at Shawnee Trail Conservation Area, Mindenmines Registration required, call 417-629-3423Ages 7 and olderIt’s winter in Missouri, and short-eared owls may be seen flying low over native grasslands in search of mice, rabbits, and other small mammals. Join us on an evening hike to discover more about these and other feathered winter residents.
6. Nature and the Arts Jan. 24 • Saturday • 1–4 p.m. Southeast Region, Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701No registration required, call 573-290-5218All ages, families, groups Be “naturally” inspired by artists who love nature and have interesting ways of incorporating it into their work. Listen to music, visit with artisans, and watch as these talented folks demonstrate their passion and display their crafts. Kids and adults will have the opportunity to make a nature craft to take home.