Springfield Conservation Nature Center

No. No you cannot. The Nature Center is NOT a park. It is part of the State Conservation Department and you are not permitted off the trails at any time. Hammock users will be asked to remove hammocks and may be asked to leave. Do not use hammocks here.

The nature center building is open from noon to 5pm. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

No. Dogs, bikes and horses are not allowed on the trails.

Yes. Not all the time, but between dawn and dusk like the rest of the parks in Springfield.

I don't know of a Springfield Missouri bat rehabilitation center consider. There might be one I just don't know?? Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Hummingbirds come to Missouri generally between late April and stay through September.

There is a paved trail that is shorter. It is very stroller friendly. I highly recommend it!

It is free, and a very beautiful place to walk.

I would say no because the grade even on the paved ones is awfully steep

I haven't seen it on this site but I have seen it in blossom at Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation area in Branson (near the parking lot off of Sycamore Church Road). https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/henning-ruth-and-paul-ca

Yes. Savannah Ridge is an ADA accessible trail.

The gates open at 8. The building opens at noon. Gates are locked at 8pm.

At the front desk you can obtain free publications that will not only tell you what you may see at certain times of the year on the area, but also information on plants you can find state wide.

It is free.

There is a taxidermied bear head above the fire place and a cartoonish bear statue in the lobby.

All State of Missouri offices close annually on Truman Day, as Harry Truman is from Missouri.

The Native Plant Sale is an annual event every April. It's generally the first weekend of the month.

No. Grilling is allowed down the street at Living Memorial Park, but not at the Nature Center.

Yes.

I've been there many times and I've not seen any signs against it. However it is government property so I'd say no along with you are not allowed to leave the trail areas due to rehabilitation of plants ect

You are allowed to bring food to the outdoor seating area. No alcohol or dogs.

Service animals only

At specific hours of the day. M-F 6-9am and 2-5pm. Hours are 6-noon Saturday. No running is permitted on Sunday.

Yes. The trails are open on holidays, even if the building is not.

Yes, but ONLY if you float up from Springfield Lake. You cannot fish standing from the property, but the river counts as waters of the state, and they fall under state regulations. Kayakers often float up to fish.

The naturalists only serve as guides during public programs. Outside of the programs, there are no guided tours.

No, they have a gate that shuts at sunset. You are allowed to go around the gate in person.

No, you are not permitted to collect any items from the Nature Center, nor are you allowed to leave the trails at any time. They do have a chapter of the Missouri Mycological Society that meets there. Call the desk and ask for more information on it. They'll know where you can hunt mushrooms.

No

Yes. There is a publication titled "Woodworking for Wildlife". It has plans for many types of boxes that can be constructed at home. It is available from the Nature Center or Regional Office on Mayfair Ave. on the North side of Springfield.

The building was first opened October of 1988.

Yes, we do.

We don't have any spaces available for reserving. The covered pavilion is on a first-come, first-served basis unless it is being used by the center for an event. It isn't private since the public still has access to the trash cans, outdoor restrooms, and soda machines located in the building.

No

Summer hours the building opens at noon and remains open until five. During the winter, the building is not open on Sunday. The trails are open 8-8pm during the summer, and 8-6pm in the winter.