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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Discover nature through fall family fun Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. All ages are invited to the center’s Fall Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. to learn about the “creepy, crawly, ooey, gooey,” misunderstood animals of Missouri.
“From spiders to bats and even lizards, some animals make people uncomfortable” said Jordi Brostoski, MDC naturalist. “Although these animals are different, they’re really amazing and play an important role in nature. These misunderstood animals do things you may not have even considered.”
Live animal presentations will be offered at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy a crackling fire while sampling fall snacks. Kids can try their hands at crafts featuring “strange” wild animals. Fun fall activities will feature spiders, vultures, and other misunderstood animals. Kids fifteen and under can stop by the Kid’s Fishing Pond to touch a slimy worm and try their hand at fishing from 4-6 p.m. Participants may also paint a fishing lure with MDC fish biologists and volunteers. Naturalists will lead guided walks along the trail throughout the evening.
“Fall is the perfect time to celebrate the outdoors with family and friends, it’s also a great time to see some of nature’s unsung heroes,” Brostoski said.
This and all other programs at the Cape Nature Center are free, due to the one-eighth of 1 percent conservation sales tax in Missouri. The Cape Nature Center boasts a 160-seat auditorium, three classrooms, hands-on exhibits for all ages, a scientific research laboratory, freshwater aquariums, and an indoor wildlife-viewing area. The center is located inside Cape Girardeau's North County Park, just east of Interstate 55 (Exit 99) and Kingshighway (State Highway 61).
No reservations are required for this program and all ages are welcome. More information on this and other programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter.
