The Conservation Nature Center is located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park and showcases the rich cultural history and diverse natural resources of Southeast Missouri.
Campus Features
- The nature center features 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 “White Oak Trace” features two miles of nature trails allowing visitors to traverse rolling river hills with sinkholes, deep hollows, and ravines covered with prominent stands of poplar and oak.
- Native plants featured in the nature center’s landscape provide habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife species.
- The nature center’s gift shop features a wide variety of educational books, videos, and nature-related items. Final sales must be made by 4:30 pm.
Exhibit Gallery
Gallery visitors can start their experience by learning from Paul Corbin’s collection of Native American artifacts by viewing primitive tools that were used to harvest plants and animals hundreds of years ago. Interactive exhibits encourage exploration of the forest, marsh, swamp, and big river habitats of Southeast Missouri. Visitors can learn where to go in the region to experience these unique natural features and gain insight into local opportunities for camping, hunting, and fishing.
Making Connections
- Attend one of the many public programs, films, workshops or special events offered at the nature center. For more information on how to get involved subscribe to the nature center’s newsletter.
- Bring an organized group by calling in advance to schedule a naturalist – conducted program or hike. Request a leader guide to help plan your visit. Bus parking is available.
- Visit the Educators Resource Room to learn about the curriculum materials, videos, and discovery trunks available to teachers and youth leaders. Schedule a meeting or attend a workshop with a Conservation Education Consultant to experience methods for incorporating conservation principals into all disciplines.
- Help a child learn how to fish at the “Kids Only” fishing pond near the nature center’s entrance. Try a new outdoor skill at one of our skills workshops or meet with the area Outdoor Skills Specialist.
- Become a volunteer and share your enthusiasm for conservation through various opportunities.
What Does It Cost?
Cape Girardeau Conservation Campus Nature Center is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, a state agency supported by fishing and hunting license revenues and the statewide 1/8-of-one percent “Design for Conservation” sales tax. There is no admission charge.
Special Topics
Area Information
- Building Hours
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday
- NOON to 5:00 PM on Sunday
- Closed on Mondays, New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
- Area Hours
- Open daily from sunrise to 10:00 PM in accordance with the Cape Girardeau County Park Rules and Regulations
- Directions
- Located within Cape Girardeau's North County Park, just east of Interstate 55 (Exit 99) and Kingshighway (State Highway 61).
- Regulations
- Pets, horses, hunting, collecting, littering, fires, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the nature center grounds or trails.
- Jogging, bicycling, skateboarding, in-line skating, scooters, and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails.
| Event and Date | Location | Reserve by: |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Display-Louise Bodenheimer
Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 31, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Conservation Café-Louise Bodenheimer
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Tuesday, July 7 |
| Mudpuppies-Lucky Ladybugs
Saturday, July 11, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Saturday, July 11 |
| Summer Sampling
Saturday, July 11, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Conservation Trails-Silver Mines/Millstream Garden
Saturday, July 11, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Saturday, July 11 |
| Adults Only-Surviving the Outdoors
Sunday, July 12, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Sunday, July 12 |
| Mudpuppies-Lucky Ladybugs
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Tuesday, July 14 |
| Nature Art-Table Leaves
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Tuesday, July 14 |
| Discover Nature Families-Canoeing Basics
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Wednesday, July 15 |
| Discover Nature Families-Canoeing Basics
Thursday, July 16, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Thursday, July 16 |
| Racers-Gone Campin'
Friday, July 17 – Saturday, July 18, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | Friday, July 17 |
| Discovery Station-Things that make you go yuck!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Discovery Station-Things that make you go yuck!
Sunday, July 19, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Insect Mania-A Bug's Night Out
Friday, July 24, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| White Oak Trace Hikes
Sunday, July 26, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Wildlife, CSI
Sunday, August 16, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center | |
| Hummingbird Celebration
Saturday, August 22, 2009 |
Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center |
