Make nature your spring break destination at MDC’s Runge Nature Center

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City has a full schedule of programs for all ages to enjoy spring break this month. Some programs require registration in advance, so MDC Nature Center Assistant Manager Becky Matney encourages guests to familiarize themselves with MDC’s event website for the nature center at mdc.mo.gov/centralevents.  

“Our spring break activities encompass all ages and are an exciting and fun way to start celebrating the season while enjoying the outdoors,” said Matney.

Spring break activities will include:

• Archery Through the Ages – Tuesday, March 26, and Thursday, March 28, 1-4 p.m. – ages 10+ – separate registrations required (see links below)
  Travel through time, learning and practicing archery through the ages on the nature center’s outdoor range.
  Tuesday: atlatl and longbow archery
  mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165364
  Thursday: compound bow and crossbow archery
  mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165365
• Garlic Mustard Roundup – Wednesday, March 27, 1-3 p.m. – ages 7-12; 13-18 – separate registrations required (see links below)
  Through a friendly competition, help eradicate this invasive plant from the nature center grounds.
  Kids (age 7-12): mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165369
  Teens (age 13-18): mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165366
• Spring Symphony – Thursday, March 28, 6-7:30 p.m. – all ages – registration required (see link below)
  A short indoor program precedes an evening walk on one of the nature center trails to listen and identify the spring songs of animals.
  Registration: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165373
• Runge Animal Feeding – Friday, March 29, 2 p.m. – all ages – no registration required
  Join us and watch as we feed the snakes, aquarium fish, and snapping turtles. 
  Information: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165472

Nature center guests can conveniently manage program registration online at mdc.mo.gov/centralevents. The first step in registering for a program is creating a profile, then signing up for future programs is simple. Once someone creates a profile and registers for an event, they will receive details about programs they’ve registered for.

Sign up for email and/or text updates from Runge Nature Center and other conservation news at mdc.mo.gov/GovDelivery.

Events at Runge Nature Center are free thanks to the one-eighth of 1 percent conservation sales tax. Runge Nature Center, located at 330 Commerce Drive in Jefferson City, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Trails at the nature center are open every day, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

For more information about events at Runge Conservation Nature Center, visit nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/runge-nature-center, or call the nature center at (573) 526-5544.