The Springfield Conservation Nature Center has been in town for about 2½ decades, but some people may not know what all the center has to offer.
The center is geared towards getting people back into nature, as well as providing information about nature for the public. It offers 3 miles of hiking trails, the chance to observe wildlife, and a variety of exhibits and events offered throughout the year.
People of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to come.
The center has programs for people of every age group. Rudy Martinez, the assistant nature center manager, mentions that the center starts “with 0 to 2-year-olds with a stroller walk called ‘Babes in the Woods’.” He says this is to “get the kids outside but also try to teach the parents.”
It also has a program for toddlers called Little Acorns, as well as a Kids Club and a Teen Club. Of course, adults are also welcome to visit the trails or building, and attend the family-oriented events the center showcases.
They have a plethora of educational resources and points of interest inside the building.
Martinez mentioned the annual trail attendance is roughly 250,000 to 300,000 people; in the building, it is around 90,000. “We run into people all the time,” Martinez says, “who have been coming here for years and never been in the building.”
There is plenty of reason to visit the building in addition to the hiking trails. Inside, the center has many educational resources on the local outdoors and wildlife, including free informational brochures, educational exhibits, hunting and fishing licenses for sale, and a small gift shop.
The center also has art displayed on the main walls that is changed monthly. Martinez calls the kind of education they offer “interpretive education.” He says the goal of this is “interpreting the natural resources in such a way to make an emotional connection with your audience.”
An annual primitive-skills class is offered.
You can look for the primitive skills class every year on the first Sunday afternoon of October. The center has a special group of volunteers who specialize in primitive skills come and teach the public. Skills that will be taught include flint knapping, fire starting, bow making, and plenty of others.
There are opportunities to experience art and the outdoors at the same time.
The nature center offers a program called “Nature and the Arts.” The premise of these events is to showcase an artist who draws inspiration from the outdoors. “They have developed a program that includes the art that they do,” Martinez says, “whether it’s music, drawing, photography… some type of artwork that has a connection with nature.” He also says that “they have some very interesting stories that along with their artwork.”
On Friday, Oct. 10 there will be an event from the Nature and the Arts program at the Nature Center. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mike Fraser and Tenley Hanson, two folk musicians with a specialty in traditional music of the Ozarks, will play music inspired by the author Aldo Leopold, also sometimes called the “Father of Conservation.” You will need to register by Oct. 10 by calling 417-888-4237.
Even the non-outdoor types can enjoy the nature center.
Some people don’t feel inclined to explore nature in a serious or committed way. Luckily, the nature center has plenty to offer for everyone, including those who don’t always enjoy being outdoors.
The trails themselves are not too grueling to hike. Plus, the exhibits allow you to learn about nature while being inside. There is also an indoor bird-viewing area that allows people to observe wildlife without having to be immersed in it. Martinez said that even “during inclement weather, you can still always see lots of songbirds.”
