Events

Discover the importance of Missouri reptiles and amphibians and see what it takes to keep our education animals happy and healthy. Bring your family and watch as we introduce and feed several different reptiles and amphibians. Youth and adult organizations welcome.

Come join the boardgame club for nature lovers! This monthly program will begin with a short program highlighting a different nature-themed board game, and how it relates to Missouri’s mission to have world class fish, forests, and wildlife. After the intro…let the games begin! There will be games available for all experience levels, though on average these games have a higher complexity level than family board game players may be used to, these games are most appropriate for ages 12 and up. You are welcome to bring any snacks and non-alcoholic beverages you wish, as well as nature-themed board games to share from your collection.

From tiny, swimming bugs to large, wading herons our wetlands are full of life! Meet some of the creatures that live in the water and find out what it takes for them to survive in these aquatic habitats. Little Acorns programs are designed to help children ages 3-6 learn about the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

From tiny, swimming bugs to large, wading herons our wetlands are full of life! Meet some of the creatures that live in the water and find out what it takes for them to survive in these aquatic habitats. Little Acorns programs are designed to help children ages 3-6 learn about the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

Find out who lives in the water by participating in several sensory-friendly activities. These child-directed activities are designed to provide many tactile opportunities through hands-on exploration. Feel free to come and go as you like. This program is designed to be inclusive to children of all ages and abilities.

From tiny, swimming bugs to large, wading herons our wetlands are full of life! Meet some of the creatures that live in the water and find out what it takes for them to survive in these aquatic habitats. Little Acorns programs are designed to help children ages 3-6 learn about the natural world through hands on experiences, crafts, and focused free-play activities.

With teal season starting next month it's important to be prepared to hunt for one of the fastest waterfowl in Missouri! We’ll go over what types of teal you can expect to see and the equipment and decoys that will make your hunt a success. Participants will receive the virtual program link at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the program. Please ensure your MDC account includes an accurate email address so that you can receive this link.

“Know thy enemy,” we’ve heard the phrase for years, but knowing which species are invasive or not can be daunting. This program is designed as an introductory guide to some of the most common invasive species in southeast Missouri. We will focus on decoding some of the botanical jargon and learning common sense rules that help you target problem plants. This program will be held both indoor and outdoor on the nature center trails. Please dress for high temperatures and bring a bottle of water to hike with. Trails cover graveled, hilly terrain; hiking boots or athletic shoes recommended.

Help us monitor the health of Cape LaCroix Creek by conducting a macroinvertebrate survey. Get an up-close look at some of the cool creatures that call stream ecosystems home. We will be wading so please wear clothing and closed-toed shoes that can get wet. We will meet in the parking lot next to the recreation trail just south of the Lexington/Route W round-about.

Help us monitor the health of Cape LaCroix Creek by conducting a macroinvertebrate survey. Get an up-close look at some of the cool creatures that call stream ecosystems home. We will be wading so please wear clothing and closed-toed shoes that can get wet. We will meet in the parking lot next to the recreation trail just south of the Lexington/Route W round-about.