Events

Runge is pleased to present an exhibition of works by Central Missouri artist Terry Martin.

After finding painted rocks around Jefferson City, especially on the trails at Runge, Janet Bonnot decided to join the JC Rocks fun in 2018. Runge is pleased to present a variety of Janet's nature-inspired creations.

Corvids: crows and ravens

are very intelligent and curious birds.

Encountered in many mythologies:

significant to shamans, they speak from the other world;

as tricksters, they carried light to the indigenous peoples;

often, they play a role in creation stories;

they guard souls on journeys to other worlds.

Their perspective of height

and the capacity of breadth

allow them to quickly message patterns of change.

As a multidisciplinary artist, I am committed

to a curious mind, learning from nature

and the elements of water, earth, air, wind, and fire.

My work encompasses sculpture, paintings, and photography,

oftentimes using a combination of media:

beeswax, resin, and oil; stones an wood;

lead sheeting, wire, and precious metals; textiles;

collected papers, found objects, cast bronze and glass.

The historical reverence for the power

and sacredness of earth

spans our cultural memory.

We live in a chaotic world.

It is difficult to feel a part of the whole

with the loss of balance and control:

personally, politically, and spiritually.

When we become still and silent,

we may then listen

to the past, the present and the future.

Hopefully, we will continue to find ways

to understand and bond,

not only to our environment,

but most importantly,

to each other.

Catherine Eaton Skinner

2022

www.ceskinner.com

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 (March 8 & 22).

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and Gasconade County Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting a Pond Management Workshop on Tuesday March 28, 2023, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall at 604 West Jefferson Street, Owensville, MO. The Gasconade County SWCD will be providing a free chili/soup dinner before the workshop at 5:30pm for any workshop registrants that want to attend.

This workshop will cover a wide variety of topics including, pond site selection, pond construction, pond stocking, fisheries management, aquatic vegetation management, pond watershed management and wildlife issues. Professionals from MDC, NRCS and SWCD will give presentations and will be available to answer questions. There will also be some very useful literature and brochures on pond management available. This class is geared for adults, but children are welcome to attend.

Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle. Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations. You must take Discover Nature - Fishing Lesson 1 and 2 before you can take this class.

Additional Information:

Lesson 3: Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants will learn the different components of fish anatomy and their functions. In addition, participants will learn about various types of fish habitat and aquatic food webs. Lesson 4: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young anglers and families how to properly select a fishing lure based on desired fish species, weather and water conditions. In addition, participants will learn how to identify and understand fishing regulations.

Participants are limited to anglers ages 7 and up. We encourage the entire family to participate. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. Participants must have completed Lessons 1 and 2 prior to attending Lessons 3 & 4. Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. For additional information or questions contact LuAnn Conway at (573) 325-1381 ext. 6031.

Move just like the wild animals of Missouri! Test your strength, flexibility, and mind with animal yoga. Bring your own yoga mat if you want. The program will be held indoors. Registration required. Ages 4-12.

Registration required (ages 0-36 months)

The cycle of life helps keep nature’s engine running smoothly. We’ll play games and explore outside as rabbits, frogs and birds are twitterpated all around us!

Join us for some unstructured free play at Runge. Build a shelter, study creepy crawlies, climb trees, and get dirty. Free play in nature allows children to test their physical limits, engage their senses, practice emotional regulation, and is an important part of healthy psychological and physical development. No registration required. All ages invited.

Snagging season is open and the suckers are getting ready to shoal. Now is the time to learn about the different gear you will need to snag/

grab these nongame fish. We will discuss rods, reels, lines, hooks, and other gear to help make a successful outing, whether you catch fish or not.

This Pond Management Workshop will cover Pond Construction, Fish Stocking, Fisheries Management, Aquatic Plant Management and Wildlife Around your Pond. This workshop is free and open to the public. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Join us for an introduction to trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park. We will learn methods, gear, and how to prepare our trout for cooking. A Missouri fishing permit and a daily trout tag are waived for this program and will not be needed. You may meet us at the park or follow us from Runge. A few participants may ride in our van on a first-come, first-served basis. We will leave Runge at 9 a.m. Registration required. Ages 7+

Silent, slimy salamanders are all around us in Missouri. Join us to have some slimy fun while we learn more about this elusive amphibian! Registration required. Must have a child in the 0-2 age range AND the 3-6 age range.

Slimy, silent critters are all around us, and we don’t even know it! As a budding naturalist, you will learn what makes one slimy critter, the salamander, unique from other amphibians. We’ll use hands-on experiments, observation, and maybe even meet a live salamander, to find the answer. This program is especially suited for children whose younger sibling is attending the Little Acorns program offered at the same time. Registration required. Ages 7-13

Red Bud blooms are about to start blooming, and hopefully this program will inspire you to start collecting and using these beautiful flowers in your cooking. So easy and simple, you will not be disappointed in the flavors these blossoms will bring to your dishes.

Note: This program will take place at Boone County Nature School, 8805 S. Tom Bass in Columbia. Participants should plan to meet at the Nature School near the shelter.

Archery is a fun, lifetime sport everyone can enjoy. Learn the basics of archery and how to shoot safely, then practice your newly learned skills under the supervision of MDC staff. Dress for the weather in closed-toe shoes. All equipment is provided. Registration required. Ages 7+

*The archery range may not be accessible to participants who use a wheelchair or crutches. Please check for availability of an all-terrain wheelchair by contacting the program instructor at least two weeks in advance of the program date.

Learn embroidery techniques while also exploring Missouri’s "Things with Wings" by stitching quilt blocks based on that theme.

This class is a 12 month program that will meet once a month all year long. You will learn simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques as we explore some of the most stunning and unique Winged Things found in the beautiful landscapes of Missouri.

By signing up, you are committing to attend all twelve of the monthly sessions so that you will be able to complete all 15 blocks for an entire quilt.

Travis will discuss the lake sturgeon spawning events at the Mel Price/Lock and Dam 26 and the recovery efforts across the state of Missouri, which have been ongoing since the 1980’s. Lake sturgeon are Missouri’s second largest fish weighing in at 250 pounds and the longest-lived animal in the state at 150 years.

This class covers the basic equipment, materials, and techniques needed to reload metallic cartridges and produce custom loads suited to your rifle/handgun for the particular target or game you are pursing. We will demonstrate the process and then give you some hands-on experience reloading rifle/handgun cartridges. All equipment is provided.

Nature journaling is an expressive and creative way for people of all skill levels to learn about and appreciate nature. Join an MDC naturalist to talk about different methods of keeping a nature journal and participate in some activities to get your creative juices flowing! A drawing with be held for an MDC nature journal and coloring pencils. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Now that Spring fishing season is in full swing, and you have caught and cleaned a mess of fish, now is the time to learn how to cook them. In this Virtual Fish Cooking program, we will focus on the common equipment needed for cooking fish, frying and grilling fish, as well as other methods to prepare fish. This is a combination of the Virtual Fish Cooking Series that was held this month.

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

**You must complete step one, the required virtual learning on the Missouri Stream Team YouTube page, prior to attending this event**

The virtual training videos can be found through this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBQMlfy_cD4DQe07cir0nipWVrbQ2npVy

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

The animals are hungry! Watch as the Runge naturalist feeds the snakes, aquarium fish, and snapping turtles. No registration required. All ages invited.

This is a partnership event with the Kenneth Kirchman Foundation. An organization dedicated to wildlife habitat and educating though life-changing experiences in the outdoors.

Participants must have never harvested a turkey and must be less than 16 years old. The foundation will provide the land and educational venue, and the Department will lead the clinic and hunt for these participants. Everything, including camouflage will be provided. Participants can bring their own shotgun. This will be a complete "how to" for youth and their families.