Cape Nature Center announces April programs

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center has a full schedule of programs planned for April. Some programs require registration in advance, so Nature Center Manager Sara Turner said it’s important guests familiarize themselves with MDC’s event website for the center at www.mdc.mo.gov/southeastevents.

Turner said the biggest event in April will be Froggy Friday, April 12, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.  Naturalists and volunteers will give Frog Chorus presentations at 5:50 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with guided hikes to the pond throughout the evening.

“Froggy Friday is our introduction to spring, as we celebrate the chorus of the frogs that have finally emerged for the warmer weather,” Turner said. “It’s always a fun event with no registration needed.”

Turner said parents should know about regular occurring age-specific programs at the center also, 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 and 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.

April programs at the nature center include:

• Wildlife: Feeding Frenzy, Thursday, April 11, from 1 to 2 p.m. Watch naturalists and volunteers feed the nature center’s resident critters.
• Blood Drive, Wednesday, April 17, from 12-4 p.m. Register in advance with the Red Cross at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
• Little Acorns: Secretive Salamanders, Choose a date and time: April 20, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. or April 23, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. or 10 to 10:30 a.m., ages 3-6.  Register in advance.
• Conservation Kids: April Showers Bring…Seasonal Wetlands, April 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., ages 7-11.  Register in advance.
• A Southeast Earth Day, Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 4 p.m., all ages.
• Babes in the Woods: Talkin’ Turkey, Saturday, April 27, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. or 10 to 10:30 a.m., ages 0-2.  Register in advance.
• Bashin’ Trash, Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Arena Park, all ages. Register in advance by calling 573-290-5218.
• Youth Cane Pole Fishing, Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., ages 7-15. Register in advance.

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.

“Another popular feature we offer is our texting subscription,” 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.