Events

Snakes are amazing animals and not really scary at all. Come and join us to learn lots of neat things about snakes like how they move, smell, hear and eat. There will be live snakes that are found in Missouri to look at and even touch. We will take a hike on the Fallen Oak Trail (.7 miles) and try to find some snakes in their natural habitat.

Want to see spring wildflowers and hike with a group? Meet at the pavilion for an introduction. Rockwoods is a little piece of the Ozarks close to home. According to MDC, “The terrain is reminiscent of the Ozark hills and many plants and animals found in hill country are also found here.”

We will hike about 2 miles. The hike includes hills and stairs. Picnic facilities are available if you want to bring your lunch.

Dress for the weather and protection from poison ivy. Insect repellent is recommended. Bring water and magnifying glass if you have one. Please register each participant individually.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

This Scouting event is free and will offer Scouts and their families the opportunities to test their outdoor skills, work toward a number of conservation-related merit badges* and explore the diversity of career opportunities with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Found throughout the grounds at PVCNC, activity stations will help Scouts and their families appreciate nature and acquire valuable skills they can use in the future. Activities include:

· Fire Building

· Outdoor Cooking

· Compass and Orienteering

· MO Plant and Animal ID

· Crafts

· and more!

Activity stations will be both indoors and outdoors. Participants may want to bring a refillable water bottle and wear sturdy shoes. Registration is required. To secure your spots, register everyone who will be attending this event (including children).

*Scout leaders should note that MDC will offer activities that may be applied towards merit badges, but the department is not authorized to sign off on badges. It’s recommended that participants working toward badges bring their own counselors to certify them.

Walk-in (all ages) Plants are flourishing after the bare winter. Spring is finally here, and gardening is back in full gear. Whether you're an experienced gardener or someone who can't keep a houseplant alive, all are welcome to come and try out their sculpting while making a seedball. Then, you'll take your newly made seedball home to place outside to create a native pollinator garden! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Sporting Clays is a challenging, yet fun shotgun shooting game that can likely be best described as playing golf with a shotgun. Shooters move from station to station and shoot at clay targets presented in a dizzying array of angles. It is some of the best practice for shooting at gamebirds. Bring your shotgun and enjoy an evening sampler of what this game entails. Non-Toxic shot is required. We can provide any gear needed to participate.

Come to the range to improve your shotgun shooting for hunting. This is a free workshop that will help migratory and upland bird hunters improve their hunting skills with non-toxic shot. Topics include how to select the best ammunition and choke combination for hunting, how to improve your shooting skills, general information on the latest non-toxic shotgun ammunition, how to improve your range & distance estimation skills, and how to properly pattern your shotgun. There will be a presentation inside followed by clay bird shooting and shotgun patterning. Bring your own shotgun that you typically use hunting. We will provide ammunition for you. Please leave all firearms your vehicle until the shooting portion begins. We will break for lunch inside the classroom. Bring your own lunch and any drinks.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

What better way to announce summer than wading in a crystal-clear Ozark stream and fishing for smallmouth! Join the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center as we wade upstream to find some smallmouth bass ponds along the Whitewater River to fish. Pause briefly to enjoy the water or the early summer sun shining on your face. Bring watershoes, shorts that can get wet, and a change of clothes. The nature center will provide all fishing gear, but teens may bring their own fishing pole if they prefer. Further details will be provided closer to the date.

Come out and learn how to identify Missouri native trees. We will explore different shapes, sizes, colors and textures of trees and what they have to offer to people and animals. Presentation in the auditorium followed by a walk down the Missouri Tree trail.