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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center has a full schedule of programs planned for July, which includes taking nature programs to six Riverside Regional Libraries July 16 and 17. No registration is required for the library nature programs. Nature Center Manager Sara Turner said the partnership with local libraries will hopefully bring more guests to the nature center.
“By bringing nature programs to the libraries, we’re highlighting nature to groups of children that may not already visit the nature center regularly,” Turner said. “Helping children spend more time outdoors and familiarizing them with the natural world helps to reduce stress and improves academic performance. These are goals the libraries and the nature center can achieve together.”
Turner said all nature programs are free to the public. The schedule is:
July 16: Jackson at 9 a.m., Perryville at 11:30, and Altenburg at 3 p.m.
July 17: Oran at 10:30 a.m., Benton at 1:30 p.m., and Scott City at 3:30 p.m.
Turner said parents should also know about regular occurring age-specific programs at the nature center, such as Babes in the Woods, Little Acorns and Conservation Kids. Babes in the Woods is specifically designed to give infants and toddlers up to two years old an introduction to nature. Little Acorns is for children ages three to six, and Conservation Kids is for children ages seven to 11.
“One size doesn’t always fit all, so we have programs that happen every month that are designed for the specific needs of these age groups,” Turner said. “This tailoring to age ranges helps to engage children where their needs are at each age and gives them a wonderful foundation of nature knowledge to build on as they get older.”
July programs at the nature center include:
Some programs require registration in advance, so Turner said it’s important guests familiarize themselves with MDC’s event website. Nature center guests can conveniently manage program registration online at www.mdc.mo.gov/southeastevents. The first step in registering for a program is creating a profile, then signing up for future programs is simple. Once someone creates a profile and registers for an event, they will receive details about programs they’ve registered for.
“Our texting subscription is a great way to keep track of when to register for programs and get reminders so you don’t miss them,” Turner said.
The nature center sends program registration reminders and updates to those who sign up by texting, MDC Nature, to 468311. Turner said an online subscription is also available to “sign up for updates” at www.mdc.mo.gov. A variety of updates are available at this option, but Cape Girardeau specific updates are available under facility updates and news for southeast region.
Find information about age specific monthly programs, such as Little Acorns, Babes in the Woods and Conservation Kids, as well as other programs at www.mdc.mo.gov/southeastevents. Events at the nature center are free, thanks to the 1/8th of 1 percent Conservation State Sales Tax. The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature is located inside Cape County Park North, just east of I-55 exit 99.
