Events

Calling all photographers! Whether you’re a professional or just like snapping photos on your phone, the Missouri Department of Conservation invites you to head on out to one of our largest Conservation Areas in the state this summer. With nearly 7,000 acres of land and a wide variety of habitats, Busch Conservation Area is host to hundreds of species of wildlife. From Cormorants on the lake, Turkeys in the fields, and Beavers in creek, the possibilities of spotting some of our incredible Missouri wildlife are endless!

Starting May 1st, photos submitted via email to Sabrina.Hansen@mdc.mo.gov will be printed and displayed in the entrance of the St. Louis Regional Office within Busch CA for visitors to view and vote for their favorite photo of the week! You can also post your submitted photos on Facebook or Instagram using #BuschWildlifeoftheWeek. Fan favorite photos will be hung in the hallway of the Regional Office for all to enjoy throughout the summer season. The last day to submit summer photos will be August 31st.

Photos submitted MUST be taken at August A Busch Memorial Conservation Area, or our next-door neighbor Weldon Spring Conservation Area. Description of the location on either Conservation Area must be included in your email submission. Photo must include native Missouri wildlife, trees, or plants.

While we encourage participants to spot and photograph our flora and fauna, we ask that you remain at a healthy distance from any wildlife and respect all living things on our areas while also following all area regulations.

MDC photographers offer the following tips to help create the best photos: Try going during the early morning, or later into the evening. The light is usually much better during these times than the harsher, midday sun. Soft, cloudy days can also make for some pleasing light. Don’t forget to fill the frame with your subject—close-up photos tend to be much more engaging that subjects seen from a distance. Consider pulling out a macro or closeup lens. There are amazing details to be discovered in our native plants, and a host of tiny and cool insects and pollinators. And finally, be creative and don’t be afraid to experiment.

You can also consult MDC’s online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide for more information about native wildlife and their habitats and behaviors.

Artwork on display in lobby.

Please welcome “Birds and Butterflies,

and Other Nature Scenes of Missouri” by artist, Joseph Parish.

This exhibit is multimedia, with the various works being done in classic

watercolor, opaque watercolor (French Gouache), acrylic, oils, and

photography.

The work is inspired mostly from original photographs taken by the artist in

Missouri and the Midwest ranging from his own backyard to the Mississippi

Flyway.

Raised on a farm in the Missouri river bottoms, Dan Brueggeman developed an early appreciation of wildlife and the out-of-doors. It wasn't until 1984 that the artist encountered his future vocation, when he met a decoy carver and was fascinated by the amount of realism obtainable in wood sculpture. Dan's first decoy, although it bears little resemblance to today's works, is still the most prized piece in his collection. In addition to the original waterfowl, Dan has expanded his focus to encompass songbirds, fish, game birds, mammals and raptors. He has been honored with numerous awards, including several "Best of Show" awards. His carvings currently grace many private and corporate art collections. The exhibition is located in the west wing at Runge and can be viewed through June 30, 2024.

Agents of Discovery is a mobile app game that takes your visit to Runge to another dimension! As an Agent, your mission is a scavenger hunt played on your phone to discover different things animals do in spring. Explore the exhibits in the nature center to find QR codes with info and questions about animals. Find all the QR codes in the scavenger hunt and answer all questions to win. Then come to the front desk to claim your prize! No registration required. All ages

Come visit during the month of May to see artwork from a local homeschool group, featured in our auditorium. This groups loves to meet up to hike, play, and learn about the outside world together. They believe that time in nature is valuable even on the not-so-beautiful days. Various artwork pieces will be represented.

Are you a trap shooter looking to spice up your game in a new and exciting way? Join us for our glow clays program where we put a new spin on this classic game. Think “Cosmic Bowling”, for trap . We have introduced UV light to the trap field at night. This causes the factory paint on the clay pigeons to fluoresce or “Glow” in the dark as they are thrown from the trap house, making a unique glowing target.

Minimum age 16 and you must be familiar with and experienced in classic trap and safe firearms handling. Additional Range safety officers will be available if assistance is needed.

Volunteer Naturalist Myra Scroggs will help you find migrating birds during this indoor and outdoor program. Ages 7 to adult.

Have you ever walked by a wildflower and wished you knew what it was? Well, this is your program! April showers bring an abundance of colorful May flowers to our Missouri landscape. In this program, you will learn how to identify these flowers and enjoy a short walk around the nature center trails and grounds to find these beautiful blooms. Afterwards, cool down by enjoying some dandelion iced tea and dandelion cookies.

Join MDC naturalists and area birders as we discover the avian life that calls Runge home. These short birding walks are for all experience levels. We will gather near the front doors of the nature center. Binoculars and field guides will be provided for those that need them. Registration preferred. Ages 8+