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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center has several programs designed to help the community discover nature in May. From music, to science, to planned hikes and walks, there’s something for every age and level of interest.
Build a better world is the theme of a concert May 5, from 7 to 8 p.m. Explore nature’s very own architects with Emmy® Award winning singers and songwriters, WildHeart. Discover silk spinning spiders that build intricate webs, hovering hornets that make their own houses from paper, and busy beavers that can change the course of rivers.
“We’ll learn about nature’s mighty builders,” said Sara Turner, manager of the nature center. “Kids will have fun singing along and learning about nature’s builders and joining in on the adventure.”
Bio Blitz is an event where participants will learn to identify plant and bug species, which helps to build an appreciation for our region’s biodiversity. The event is May 6 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants should call ahead to sign up for a Bio-Blitz team, and then explore the nature center grounds for specimens during this event.
“We’ll have a science base-camp to help identify species that are found,” Turner said. “Teams will add their inventory numbers to our overall total to see how many species we can find.”
Turner said no previous experience is required for this event and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hikes and nature walks are also a wonderful way to discover nature, according to Turner. The nature center has two wildflower walks and one guided hike scheduled for May:
Wednesday Wildflower Walk
May 10, 1 to 4 p.m., Join a nature center volunteer for a walk at Seventy-Six Conservation Area to see the early blooming wildflowers of spring. Reserve by May 9.
Conservation Destination: Hickory Canyon
May 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Join a nature center volunteer for a walk at Hickory Canyon to see wild azaleas and other wildflowers blooming at this unique area. Reserve by May 19.
Wednesday Wildflower Walk
May 24, 1 to 4 p.m., Join a nature center volunteer for our last wildflower walk of spring at Maintz Wildlife Preserve. Reserve by May 23.
“These events are all purposed to help people connect to nature and reconnect to the land,” Turner said. “We hope to see families and people from all ages and backgrounds enjoy these events and learn more about nature.”
Turner said all of these events are free, paid for by the 1/8 of .01% Conservation State Sales Tax. The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is located in Cape County Park North, near the intersection of I-55 and Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. More information about these and other nature programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter. Call (573)290-5218 to make reservations.
