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.

Owl Prowl and Evening Stroll

January 6 • Friday • 6–9 p.m. Southwest Region, Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804 No registration required, call 417-888-4237 for more information  All ages

Dickerson Park Zoo staff will offer two indoor owl programs at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. The trails will be open and patrolled all evening, so bring a flashlight and a walking partner and take a stroll on your own.

Winter Trees

January 7 • Saturday • 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Kansas City Region, Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110 No registration required All ages

Most trees have dropped their leaves and are in a state of dormancy during the heart of winter. Join us to learn how to identify trees without leaves and later create your own piece of wintertime art.

Backyard Maple Sugaring

January 19 • Thursday • 10 a.m.–2:00 p.m. St. Louis Region, Rockwoods Reservation, 2751 Glencoe Rd., Wildwood, MO 63038 Registration required beginning Jan. 5, call 636-458-2236 Adults

Do you have maple trees and love maple syrup? This workshop will teach you how to develop your own backyard maple syrup operation, from tree identification to cooking. Portions of the program are outside, so please dress for the weather.

Our Big Year

January 21 • Saturday • 1–3 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

Come kick off our big birding year! Pick up your birdsighting book and join us as we compete for Birder of the Year. We’ll have craft-making and other activities. Sign up for our prize drawing to win a beginner’s birding bag.

Eagle Adventure at Runge

January 28 • Saturday • 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Central Region, Runge Conservation Nature Center, 330 Commerce Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 No registration required, call 573-526-5544 for more information All ages, families

Participate in eagle activities, including crafts in the lobby at the nature center. Dickerson Park Zoo staff will offer live eagle presentations. Pick up a map to a wild eagleviewing site where staff will help you view eagles (weather permitting).

Eagle Days at Clarksville

January 28 • Saturday • 9 a.m.–4 p.m. AND January 29 • Sunday • 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Northeast Region, Lock & Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater, 702 South 2nd Street, Clarksville, MO 63336 No registration required, call 660-785-2420 for more information All ages, families welcome

Events include live eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, guides with spotting scopes and refreshments on-site or nearby.