Events

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.

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

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.

Turkey hunting is an excellent way to spend time in the great outdoors, watch wildlife at it's best and potentially put delicious food on the table. This class will provide you with the basic information and skills for a successful Spring turkey hunt, while discussing hunting ethics and understanding conservation. Bring your turkey shotgun and the ammo you will use to hunt and we will help you pattern the shotgun

Please join the Interpretive Site Coalition (ISC) for the Passport to Adventure kick-off. Pick up your 2023 Passport to Adventure booklet to join the fun! Visit participating sites, get your passport stamped and get entered to win prizes.

Lesson 1: Equipment, Casting and Proper Fish Handling combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers basic fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to properly and safely cast a spin cast fishing rod, parts of a fishing rod, how to fasten basic fishing tackle and how to properly handle and release a fish. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program. All participants must register for this program separately. Email the instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 1 is part of the four lesson Discover Nature-Fishing series. Lesson 1 is appropriate for adults and families with children 7 years of age and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Get all wrapped up in this fun program at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center! We will learn hands-on how to tie several different camping knots and put our new skills to the test. From the clove hitch to the bowline, we'll practice some essential knots to know before you venture out to enjoy Missouri’s outdoors!

Stop by the Nature Center to purchase plants and garden related items from Missouri plant vendors, get tips from one of our local exhibitors, and watch a short gardening demonstration or two. All ages. No registration is required. Call 417-888-4237 for more information or stop by the Nature Center for an event flyer.

Warm Spring days bring rapid changes to the landscape. Walk the trail past the upland prairie and head down to the Missouri River. Along the trail through the woods look for more ephemerals that have made their appearance since last week. We are not allowed to pick them, so bring your camera to get pictures to keep long after these beauties have bloomed. You may finish the hike by climbing up the historic grand staircase or continue the trail to the top. Parts of the trail are steep and can be muddy. Dress for the weather and wear boots or shoes that can get muddy. Bring a water bottle and walking stick if you have one. Meet at the parking lot just past the entrance to Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.

Happy Earth Month! We can try our best to practice the 3 R’s, but nothing can beat the recycling power of nature! Living things big and small are working hard 24/7 to recycle organic matter for new life. This program will begin in the classroom and end outdoors on the trail looking for nature’s recyclers.

Join us to enjoy the signs of spring while exploring the Wildcat trail system. This will be around a four-mile hike with some rugged terrain. Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring a water bottle. Bring binoculars if you like. Meet at the Gazebo on the west side of the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center. This program is for women only. Ages 14-adult. Girls 14-17 accompanied by an adult female are welcome.

Walk-in (all ages) It's finally spring and everything is starting to recover from the cold winter days...The plants are starting to bloom and the animals are coming out of hiding. Come and challenge yourself to take some beautiful pictures of our awesome native backyard nature. Your favorite picture will be specially printed and you will be able to take it home. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Tweet tweet, spring is a busy time for birds! Fly on in and learn about birds you might see in your backyard and what makes these animals so special! We will be going outside if weather allows. Registration required. Must have a child in the 0-2 age range AND the 3-6 age range.

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 (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.

Tweet tweet, spring is a busy time for birds! Fly on in and learn about birds you might see in your backyard and what makes these animals so special. We will be going outside if weather allows. Registration required. Ages 3-6.

Please join Stream Team #6486 from Columbia, Missouri for a litter pickup on April 2nd at 3:00 pm on Little Dixie Lake. The team will meet in the south parking lot off of WW/RA road. Litter bags and work gloves will be provided.

Please bring bug spray, and shoes/ boots and clothes that can get muddy. Please no open toed shoes.

A parent or adult mentor must accompany anyone under the age of 16. Online preregistration is required.

If you have any questions, please contact Annie Kittrell at annie.kittrell@mdc.mo.gov

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 (April 12 & 26).

Do you have questions about building a new pond or questions about an existing pond? If so, this FREE workshop is for you!

Professionals will give presentations and be available for questions about a variety of topics including site selection, pond construction, fish stocking, fish population management, aquatic vegetation and nuisance wildlife.

Drinks and snacks will be provided.

This class will provide 1-on-1 instruction for those shooters that have some experience shooting clay targets but haven’t shot 5-Stand before. Participants will get the opportunity to shoot 1 round of 5-Stand with the instructor working through strategies and techniques for the different bird presentations on the menu.

• Participants will need to bring their own firearm and ammunition with them

o Recommended to bring Improved Cylinder or Modified Chokes

o Shot size must be 7.5, 8, or 9

• Participants can come for instruction during business hours of the specific day they signed up for on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) or Thursday (10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)

• Shooters will need to check in for their 1-on-1 round at the main range office by the rifle/pistol range.

This class will provide 1-on-1 instruction for those shooters that have some experience shooting clay targets but haven’t shot 5-Stand before. Participants will get the opportunity to shoot 1 round of 5-Stand with the instructor working through strategies and techniques for the different bird presentations on the menu.

• Participants will need to bring their own firearm and ammunition with them

o Recommended to bring Improved Cylinder or Modified Chokes

o Shot size must be 7.5, 8, or 9

• Participants can come for instruction during business hours of the specific day they signed up for on Wednesday (1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) or Thursday (10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)

• Shooters will need to check in for their 1-on-1 round at the main range office by the rifle/pistol range.

"Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2". April 6th, 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Location, Prairie Hollow Educational Lake, Greenwood, MO 64034.

Lesson 2: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach anglers intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will learn to tie an improved clinch knot, how to rig fishing tackle and how to properly secure bait on hooks. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided.

Participants do NOT need a fishing permit to fish during this program.

All participants must register separately. Please contact program instructor for assistance with registration.

Lesson 2 is part of the Discover Nature-Fishing Lesson series. Lesson 2 is appropriate for adults and families with children ages 7 and older. Participants who attend all four of the Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will receive their choice of several fishing themed appreciation gifts from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

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.

Celebrate spring and join us to learn about the signs of spring we are beginning to see. We will also make a fun spring craft to take home. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Registration required (ages 14+) The beginning of spring is a magical time in the native plant garden. Spring ephemeral flowers are in bloom and more plants are waking up every day. Join our native landscape specialists for a tour of the gardens and get up close to the fresh beauty of spring. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.