Events

Join us as we explore the Nature Center grounds in search of the stuff animals leave behind. We'll start in the classroom to learn about tracks and scat before hitting the trails. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, bug spray is also suggested. Ages 12-17. Registration required.

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.

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.

Explore and learn about the unique and diverse ecosystems of Valley View Glades Natural Area with an MDC naturalist. Valley View Glades Trail is a marked loop trail that runs 2.6 miles through the glade and an oak-hickory forest. Terrain is moderate and has several uphill and downhill stretches. Trail is unpaved and not ADA accessible. Please dress for the weather. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, water, a hat, and sunscreen, socks that cover the ankles, and bug spray are recommended. Trekking poles would be useful, and extra trekking poles will be available to use if desired. There are no restrooms at the trailhead, and closest public restrooms are in the town of Hillsboro about 10 minutes away. For the comfort and safety of all participants, dogs will not be welcome on this guided hike.

Children are welcome at guardian’s discretion. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by trusted adult.

Please register each person attending separately.

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful, embroidery techniques as we explore some iconic, as well as secretive wildflowers in Missouri. These flowers will range from our Ozark mountain glades to our lowland swamps. Attending each class will acquaint you with each flower’s habitat needs, bloom period, and light requirements. In addition, you will learn more about who pollinates the plant and who might depend on the plant for food. Come learn about pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumble bees, moths and even gnats!

By signing up you will have the opportunity to complete 17 blocks. Which will allow you to create a large quilt with enough extras for pillows or wall art.

Programs will typically be held on the third Monday of each month at 5:00 pm via the online WebEx platform.

Links to the WebEx and thread colors for that program will be sent to the registration email prior to the meeting time. Patterns for tracing, information cards, and photos of examples will be sent to that same email after the completion of each program. You will need to supply your own fabric, embroidery hoop, needle, and thread.

Our Beginning Handgun program includes handgun fundamentals, operation, safety, maintenance, and safe storage. We start with classroom instruction then move to the range for a live-fire session. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment are provided however, you may bring your own handgun and ammunition to the live-fire session. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in the Education Center.

This class is a series of 12 programs that meets once each month, all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful, embroidery techniques as we explore some iconic, as well as secretive wildflowers in Missouri. These flowers will range from our Ozark mountain glades to our lowland swamps. Attending each class will acquaint you with each flower’s habitat needs, bloom period, and light requirements. In addition, you will learn more about who pollinates the plant and who might depend on the plant for food. Come learn about pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumble bees, moths and even gnats!

By signing up you will have the opportunity to complete 17 blocks. Which will allow you to create a large quilt with enough extras for pillows or wall art.

Programs will typically be held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at Mingo NWR Visitor Center on Hwy 51 just north of Puxico, MO. Please enter the building on the south side entrance next to the restrooms with outside access, as opposed to the main entrance.

NEW THIS YEAR

You will need to supply your own embroidery hoop, needle, and thread. We will still have patterns, light boards, and Frixion pens available for tracing the patterns on the provided quilt blocks.

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/get-involved (ages 15+) Get your hands dirty and learn how to ID and manage summer weeds in your native garden. Enjoy a naturalist-led garden tour following the end of the session. All experience levels are welcome. Contact cydney@deeprootskc.org for more information.

“ . . . and fish is fish and that’s that!” So writes Leo Lionni in his classic book, Fish Is Fish. We will explore their watery world this month through crafts, activities, and a story. Registration required. At least one child in the 0-2 range AND at least one child in the 3-6 range.