Events

In partnership with Spotlight on the Arts and JARICK Productions, the Runge Nature Center is exhibiting over 40 guest artists with various art mediums during the months of September and October. View the exhibit and vote for your favorite work of art. All ages. No registration required.

Come and see this months Hallway Artist, Geoff Anderson's bird photography! Born and raised in south county St. Louis, he grew up camping, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. Professionally, he works in the construction industry, but makes it a point to get out into the outdoors as much as possible. In college, he started to pursue photography with birds being his main focus. After finally seeing a sora in Alabama during 2014, he decided that it was time to really commit to bird photography. Since then, he has logged many hours sitting in the woods, standing in grass, wading in mud all in the pursuit of that perfect image of birds. Everything ( but 1 ) that's on display this month is an image taken in his backyard at my home in South County. He moved into this house 6 years ago and has worked to create wildlife habitat in the space we share with all the wildlife. Since then, he has recorded 107 species of birds here, as well as dozens of species of butterfly, moth and bees.

Explore the history of archery in North America from raw material harvest to bow design and performance. Then, using only hand tools and patience, craft your own hickory longbow work of art. Cost for materials is $110 and must be paid in full by September 15, 2022.

Woodworking skills recommended. This program requires stamina and upper arm strength. We will provide interested individuals with a registration form and detailed supply list. Checks should be made to MCHF. Lists of references and resources for making future bows on your own will be provided.

If you are participating in Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color” this program earns a green plants bead.

Join us for a morning full of fun turtle tales! Drop by to hear a story or two about one of Missouri’s favorite reptiles, the turtle. You will even have the opportunity to meet one of these fascinating creatures. Look for regular Little Acorns and Babes in the Woods programming to resume in October. No registration required. All ages invited.

Diverse native grasslands (DNG) are a mix of native grasses, forbs, and legumes. They make an excellent forage because they are so diverse; the soil health is improved and there is something green for forage all year round. The livestock do better because of this fact. They grow well without fertilizer because of the diverse selection of legumes that provide and even out the nitrogen already in the soil. After all, there was never a fertilizer buggy following the bison around.

Not only are DNG’s great for livestock and soil health, at the same time they provide excellent wildlife habitat. Research has shown that, aside from great grazing for livestock and fuel for prescribed fires, a DNG is the best-known quail habitat in Missouri.

This seminar will discuss these benefits as well as establishment.

(POSTPONED until October 28) Face your greatest fears tonight at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Some of the creepiest, crawliest, and most misunderstood creatures around will be on hand to watch you squirm. Learn about the secret lives of snakes, spiders, and other commonly feared critters around the state at this informational program.

*Meet in the auditorium

October is a great month for catching fish. We will go fishing at our Runge spur pond and then show you tips for filleting and cooking your catch (tasting it too!). All participants ages 16 to 64 years old will need a Missouri fishing permit. Meet at Runge's outdoor pavilion. Dress for the weather. All equipment will be provided. Registration required. All ages invited.

MDC and Missouri Trappers Association trapping clinic. This is a hands on event conducted in the field regardless of the weather. Students will need some form of waders and appropriate clothing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites beginner squirrel hunters on a guided hunt Oct. 1 at Scrivner Road Conservation Area. This event will begin at 8 a.m., and there is a pre-requisite event required for participants. This pre-requisite event will be held at Runge Nature Center on Sept. 29 from 6-7 p.m. with a pre-hunt orientation to be scheduled that same evening.

What sounds do turkeys make and what do they mean? Come and learn some basic turkey calls and then try to replicate them with provided box, slate and push pin calls.

Just in time for hunting season! In this seminar we will discuss how to select the right optic, options for mounting it and how to mount it. Then we’ll discuss how to bore sight and zero your new scope.

This event is the stream-side certification to become an Intro and Level 1 water quality monitor with Missouri Stream Team.

**You must complete the Intro to VWQM, Part 1 (virtual) AND Level 1 VWQM, Part 1 (virtual) prior to attending this event**

The virtual presentations are available as live events and are recorded for watching on-demand.

For more information on the VWQM program, please visit www.mostreamteam.org/water-quality-monitoring.html

For any questions, please email StreamTeam@mdc.mo.gov

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool-kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Walk-in (all ages) Did you know your own backyard is home to a variety of wildlife? Discover characteristics and fun facts about backyard wildlife. Then make your own wildlife identification field guide to help you explore your own backyard. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Native plants are the foundation of a healthy habitat and are essential for wildlife. Vendors will be on site who specialize in native trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers. Vendors, staff, and volunteers will be available to answer questions and provide advice on your purchases.

There will be folks demonstrating historic and modern uses of Missouri native plants. You could see basketmaking, wood carving, bow making, or other skills. The plants used in the demonstrations will be available from the native plant vendors, so you can grow your own and start crafting!

If you are participating in Cape Nature Center’s “A Year in Color” this program earns a green plants bead.

Come and learn about the poisonous and venomous plants and animals found in the State of Missouri. We will discuss snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, mushrooms, and everybody’s favorite, poison ivy. There will even be live examples of venomous animals found in the area. Drop by the Rockwoods Reservation Visitor and Education Center anytime during the 4-hour period. No reservations required.

All Ages

Join us for a morning of fishing fun to celebrate Burr Oak Woods Nature Center's 40th birthday. We'll do a short fishing lesson and then we'll spend a couple hours fishing. We'll also have some fishing themed games, lots of prizes and a drawing for a fishing rod and tackle box. This program is appropriate for adults and families with children of all ages. Equipment, bait and fishing coaches will be provided. Participants DO NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

This morning fishing program will end just in time for participants to join in and enjoy other anniversary celebration activities that will be taking place at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center through our the afternoon.

Due to limited space, each participant mush register this fishing program separately. Email the instructor for assistance with registration.

Nature Walk/ Photo Hike for people who have disabilities, families and friends, and others.

Join us and the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis as we walk through the beautiful woods on the 1.5 mile paved ADA/wheelchair accessible path to the Katy Trail and back. Bring a camera to take pictures of family, friends and nature.

Please dress for the weather.

Participants will meet at the Busch Greenway Trailhead in Research park.

Participants can choose how long and far they want to walk. Directions will be provided to the location and trail head prior to the event.

Shotgun shooting is fun and exciting. Whether you want to learn about the shotgun fundamentals from the very beginning or improve your skills on the skeet, trap or 5-stand ranges, this One-on-One Shotgun Instruction course is for you! Our instructors will help you get started and work with you on the basics to prepare you for moving on to each discipline. THIS CLASS IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! Please call 816-249-3194 to make an appointment. You must provide your own shotgun and two (2) full boxes of shells. The shells must be # 7.5, 8, or 9 shot. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Lake City Shooting Range wants to help you sight in your hunting rifle...for FREE! The instructors will help you ready to hunt, fine-tune your scope or improve on your shooting skills. If you are preparing for a hunt, bring the rifle and ammunition you plan to use during the hunt. THIS CLASS IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! Please call 816-249-3194 to make an appointment.

Have you just bought a new pistol and want to become more familiar with it? Do you need some help getting started as a new shooter or haven’t shot for a while and want to get back into it? Is there a technique that you want to learn or improve upon? This One-on-One instruction is for you! THIS CLASS IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! Participants must provide their own pistol and 100 rounds of ammunition. For more information or to make an appointment, call 816-249-3194.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool-kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Discover some common Missouri trees and their fall colors in Tower Grove Park. Bring your smart phones with a QR reader and go on a tree-caching hike to practice identifying trees. We will be creating leaf print scarves to commemorate the natural beauty and style of Autumn.

Can’t afford that greenhouse you’ve been dreaming of to start your native plant seeds in? There is a cheaper and easier way. Learn how to use a gallon milk jug to get those seeds to germinate in time for spring planting. Donna Aufdenberg, Field Specialist in Horticulture, MU Extension in Cape County will lead this program and help you plant native seeds in a milk jug you will take home.

If you are participating in the nature center’s Year of Color contest this program is a green bead.