The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is hosting a variety of nature programs, educational opportunities, and outdoor experiences for all ages in the month of May. See below the May programs at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center.
- Nature in Missouri by The Visual Arts Alliance
- Temporary Exhibit for the month of May 2026
- Birds: Our Migrating Birds
- Friday, May 1st, 1 pm – 3 pm
- Volunteer Naturalists Myra Scroggs and Marilyn Owens will help you find migrating birds during this indoor and outdoor program. Ages 7 and up. Registration required.
- Birds: Warblers for Newbies (Virtual Program)
- Friday, May 1st, 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
- Are you new to the world of warblers or birding in general? This program is designed to help anyone interested in learning more about these fascinating birds. Spring is a great time to study warblers as they arrive in Missouri. Level up your birding skills and improve your ability to identify these birds. All ages. Registration required.
- Outdoor Preparedness: Flint Knapping
- Saturday, May 9th, 10 am – 12 noon
- Watch ancestral skills specialist Don Brink transform simple rocks into artistic and functional points similar to the ones used by early humans. Learn the basics and try your hand at this age-old skill. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
- Wildlife: Story Time with Ms. Ladybug
- Wednesday, May 13th, 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.
- Nature Art: Bench Journaling
- Friday, May 15th, 9 am – 4 pm
- Looking for a fun, relaxing outdoor activity? Try bench journaling at the Nature Center! Pick up a nature journal at the trailhead and stop at benches along the trail for guided prompts. Ages 7 and up. No registration required.
- Little Acorns: Sensational Snails
- Friday, May 15th, 10 am – 10:45 am OR 11:15 am – 12 noon
- They’re slimy, slow, and shelled! Come learn what makes snails sensational. Ages 3 to 6. Registration required.
- Nature Art: Bench Journaling
- Saturday, May 16th, 9 am – 4 pm
- Looking for a fun, relaxing outdoor activity? Try bench journaling at the Nature Center! Pick up a nature journal at the trailhead and stop at benches along the trail for guided prompts. Ages 7 and up. No registration required.
- Native Plants: Tasty Wild Teas
- Saturday, May 16th, 1 pm – 2:30 pm
- Spring is a great time to gather and enjoy wild teas. We’ll collect a few native plants, prepare them, and brew teas to sample. Learn about native plants and enjoy some tasty sips. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or have allergies before attending. Ages 10 and up. Registration required.
- Birds: Hummingbirds of Summer
- Saturday, May 16th, 5:30 pm – 7 pm
- Here is your chance to see a ruby-throated hummingbird up close! Join master hummingbird bander Sarah Driver to learn more about these winged jewels while attempting to capture birds for banding. Ages 7 and up. Registration required.
- Conservation Teens: Stream Team
- Wednesday, May 20th, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Missouri has over 110,000 miles of streams that provide recreation, wildlife habitat, and drinking water—but they need our help to stay healthy. In this hands-on program, teens will learn about the Missouri Stream Team program and how volunteers protect local waterways. Participants will enter the stream to practice water quality monitoring techniques and discover how they can make a difference for Missouri’s rivers and streams. Ages 12 to 17. Registration required.
- Amphibians and Reptiles: Lizards of Missouri (Virtual Program)
- Friday, May 22nd, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Missouri is home to 11 fascinating species of lizards. In this program, we’ll explore how to identify each species while learning what makes them unique. From preferred habitats and diets to behavior and survival strategies, gain a deeper understanding of these remarkable reptiles and the important roles they play in Missouri’s ecosystems. All ages. Registration required.
- Conservation Kids: Salamander Slide
- Thursday, May 28th, 6:30 pm –7:45 pm
- Whether in the water or on land, salamanders can be found all over Missouri! Learn what these amphibians are up to and where they live through a short program followed by activities. Conservation Kids is designed for children ages 7 to 12 and their adult caregivers. Other aged siblings can attend and work together with the family as a group. Ages 7 to 12. Registration required.
- Little Acorns: Egg-squisite Eggs
- Saturday, May 30th, 10 am – 10:45 am OR 11:15 am – 12 noon
- Many animals are born during this time of year, and many hatch from eggs! From birds and fish to insects and more, explore these amazing structures through crafts and play. Ages 3 to 6. 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.