Kick-off 2016 with Cape Nature Center events

The 2016 Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center program schedule starts off with Dutch Oven Cooking: Soups and Stews, Saturday, Jan. 2.  (MDC file photo)

Gain skills in Dutch oven cooking, Nature art, arrow making and tree tapping all in one month.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Cape Girardeau Nature Center has plenty of programs to cure a wintry spirit. Nature Center Manager Sara Turner said winter is the best time to hone many outdoor skills. 

“Some people think winter is time to hide away indoors, but that’s just not the case,” Turner said. “We have a packed schedule for January, so folks will have plenty to do and discover what nature’s like in the winter months.”

The 2016 Nature Center program schedule starts off with Dutch Oven Cooking: Soups and Stews, Saturday, Jan. 2. This beginner’s course will teach the basics of Dutch oven cooking with practical and timeless recipes. Register on or after Dec. 15 for one of two sessions. This program is for ages 14 and up.

Nature Art: Groundhog Day is Thursday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. Ages 16 and up are welcome to scrapbook perfect pages for next month’s Groundhog day pictures. Make a two-page layout to highlight outdoor adventures on Groundhog Day while learning about these little native weather forecasters. Registration begins Jan. 2.

Make your own primitive arrow Saturday, Jan. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn how to use Native American techniques with materials native to Missouri such as river cane, turkey feathers, deer sinew, pine pitch and more. Each participant will have the opportunity to make one arrow. Registration for this program begins Dec. 15.

Saturday, Jan. 16, naturalists will tap trees in preparation for maple sugaring season. Join one of two programs at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. to learn how to identify Sugar maple trees, select a tree to tap and try your hand at tapping a tree. This program only covers the tree tapping portion. Maple sugaring is scheduled for Feb. 13, after enough sap is collected. Adult supervision is required for ages 12 to 17. Registration begins Jan. 2.

Other January programs at the Nature Center are a winter garden tour Saturday, Jan. 23, a Nature’s Recyclers Puppet Show also Jan. 23, and a Winter Tree I.D. walk Saturday, Jan. 30. Call (573)290-5218 to register or inquire for more information about all Cape Nature Center programs or learn more at mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter.