The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is hosting a variety of nature programs, educational opportunities, and outdoor experiences for all ages in the month of October. See below the October programs at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center.
- Temporary Exhibit, Nature in the Ozarks by the Southwest Missouri Camera Club
- The month of October 2025
- Insects: Monarchs and More!
- Saturday, October 4th, 10 am –11 am
- Join Volunteer Naturalist Dana Tideman to learn about monarch butterfly conservation, citizen science opportunities, monarch life cycle, and how to rear and tag them. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
- Wildlife: Story Time with Ms. Ladybug
- Wednesday, October 8th, 11 am – 11:30 am
- Join Ms. Ladybug as she reads a nature story and shares activities with your child. Ages 2 to 6. No registration required.
- Hiking: Hike at Roaring River State Park
- Friday, October 10th, 8:30 am – 5 pm
- Let’s hike the Pibern, Devil’s Kitchen, and Deer Leap trails at Roaring River State Park near Cassville. Meet at the nature center and carpool. Bring water, a lunch, and wear comfortable hiking shoes. The hike is five and a half miles and rated moderate to difficult. Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
- Mammals: Beavers – Wetland Engineers Virtual Program
- Friday, October 10th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Missouri is lucky to have the American beaver as one of our wild mammals. While we might not think of them often, they’re busy at work behind the scenes creating habitat which benefits us all. We’ll discuss the beaver’s role in the ecosystem and the history of beavers in North America and Europe. All ages. Registration required. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link. This program will not be recorded.
- Conservation Teens: Archery
- Saturday, October 11, 10 am – 12 noon
- You don’t have to be a hunter to become a skilled archer. No experience is necessary, and archery equipment will be provided. Arrive ready to learn and have fun. For accommodation request go to mdc.mo.gov/accessibility/ada-accommodation-request Ages 12 to 17. Registration required.
- Archery: For Adults
- Saturday, October 11th, 1 pm – 2 pm OR 3 pm –4 pm
- Looking for an activity to do with friends? Archery is a great shooting sport for anyone to get involved in. This is an introductory archery program where you will receive instruction on how to shoot and have plenty of practice shooting arrows with a bow designed for all sizes. All equipment is provided, and no prior archery experience is necessary. For accommodation request go to mdc.mo.gov/accessibility/ada-accommodation-request Ages 18 and up. Registration required.
- Hunter Education Skills Session
- Tuesday, October 14th, 6 pm – 10 pm
- This skills session will satisfy part two of Missouri Hunter Education requirements. To enter the session, you must complete the knowledge portion and provide proof of completion by presenting either a certificate or a completed hunter education student manual the day of the event. All students must provide proof of identification and age. The final exam will be administered at the end of the skills session. Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before the beginning of the class to complete registration; late arrivals will not be admitted so please arrive early. In the event of cancellation, you will be contacted by email and/or phone.
- Note: Students 16 and older who have successfully completed the all-online Hunter Education course do not need to attend an in- person skills session. Ages 11 and up. Registration required.
- Little Acorns: Batty Bats
- Saturday, October 18th, 10 am – 10:45 am
- Hairy not scary! Bats are getting ready for hibernation this time of year. Come learn about these nocturnal mammals and make a bat craft to take home. Ages 3 to 6. Registration required.
- Little Acorns: Spiders
- Wednesday, October 22nd, 10 am – 10:45 am OR 11:15 am – 12 noon
- Eight legs, eight eyes, hairy bodies, what’s not to love! Come see why we love spiders and make a spider craft to take home. Ages 3 to 6. Registration required.
- Conservation Kids: Weird Nature
- Tuesday, October 28th, 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
- Creepy, crawly, spooky, or odd, nature is absolutely wild! Come learn about some of the strange things our wild animals of Missouri can do! This program is designed for children ages 7-12 and their adult caregivers, other family members may attend. Registration required.
CLICK HERE for more information or to register for any of these programs or call 417-888-4237.
For more information about the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, CLICK HERE.
For more information about the Missouri Department of Conservation, CLICK HERE.