Events

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.

Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories. Our Discover Nature-Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part fishing instruction series that helps families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own.

This program will cover the Discover Nature-Fishing Lessons 1 and 2, which are best to complete before Lessons 3 and 4 (hosted later). Participants will learn about fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook, and proper fish handling. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. This program will take place at the lake in the Sikeston Recreational Complex. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license for this program.

Celebrate the dog days of summer by learning about Missouri’s wild dogs. Are you as clever as a fox or as crafty as a coyote? Join us for a howling good time as we discover more about the lives of these canine friends through interactive play. Babes in the Woods programs are designed to empower parents to introduce babies and toddlers ages 0–2 years to the sights, sounds, and textures of nature.