Events

Agents of Discovery is a mobile app game that takes your visit to another dimension! Become an Agent and play along with our very own Field Agent Oscar using your senses to discover and engage with nature. Great fun for the whole family!

The mission at Runge Nature Center is designed for you to have sensory experiences as you walk our beautiful Raccoon Run trail. To get started, download the free Agents of Discovery app. Play and earn prizes! No registration required. All ages.

Over 50 guest artists with various styles. View the exhibit and vote for your favorite piece of art.

Look for the book pages posted along Runge’s Naturescape trail and enjoy a story while walking and exploring. A different book is posted each month. No registration required. All ages

Agents of Discovery is at Powder Valley! This free to play mobile game lets you show off your nature knowledge to win prizes!

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (December 13 & 27).

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the captive amphibians, fish and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (Dec 13th & 27th).

Come and learn beginner trapping, fur harvesting, and handling techniques from some of Missouri’s expert trappers and fur handlers. This two-day class will cover hands on techniques used by fur harvesters and land managers to trap Missouri’s Furbearers. Hands on activities will include techniques used in foothold, body grip, cable restraint, and other types of traps, demonstrations on how to properly skin and care for harvested fur, as well as activities designed to learn furbearer identification and best management practices. Lunch will be provided both days and a significant portion of time will be spent outdoors. This event is for ages 6 and above. Any participate from the age of 6-15 must be accompanied by an adult. If lodging is needed- discounted rates are available for participants at the Blue Springs Ranch. Contact 1-800-333-8007 for reservations.

Sip cocoa and get creative! Stop by the Busch Wildlife Classrooms for a variety of nature-inspired crafts. There will be something to build and take home for all ages! The classrooms will be open for art activities from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please register all attending individually.

Deer from Hide to Rawhide: First steps toward buckskin leather.

Pony Express Conservation Area at the Trial Barn on the West side of the area.

Our ancestors utilized deer hides for making clothing, containers, musical instruments, shelter and more. Learn how to flesh, scrape, stretch, and dry your deer hide to make rawhide. At this 3 hr. hands-on workshop, you will bring and work with a deer hide you harvested. We will have demonstration hides in various stages for you to learn from also.

Wear old clothes and bring a rubber apron, if you have one. A heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. If you have a fleshing knife, bring it along. We will have fleshing knives and beams available for use during the program. You will take home plans to build a simple fleshing beam and frame. You will need to purchase a fleshing knife and other simple materials to complete and stretch your hide at home.

After harvest, skin your deer and remove any excess flesh (meat) from the hide. Place hide in a leakproof bag and freeze. Instructions for soaking and preparing your hide for the class will be emailed to prior to the class. Hides must have a valid Conservation ID Number or Telecheck Confirmation Number accompanying them. Participants 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.