Events

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 (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.

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.

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.

Come learn how to shoot archery! Archery is a safe and fun sport for everyone. All levels of abilities welcome but these events are geared for novices, 8-year-old to adults. Class Size is limited to provide for one-on-one instruction.

All equipment will be supplied. Please show up in sturdy, closed toe shoes. We will meet at the Static Archery Range on J. Thad Ray Conservation Area. Park at the parking lot and follow the mowed trail around to the left.

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.

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.

Snakes and lizards are really amazing animals. Because they are reptiles, they are a much different than the animals we are most familiar with. Come and discover many incredible things about the snakes and lizards that live in Missouri. There will be live snakes that are found in Missouri to look at and even touch. We will be taking a hike on The Fallen Oak Trail (.7 miles) and try to find some snakes and lizards in their natural habitat.

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.