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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City has a full schedule of programs planned for June. 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.
Unless otherwise noted, registration opens June 1 for all programs.
June programs at the nature center will include:
- Teens for Conservation: Fly to Fry
Monday, June 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. – ages 13 - 17
An entire fly fishing experience: Tie flies in the morning at Runge, then learn to cast and catch fish in the afternoon at Jaycee Park Lake. Finally, learn to clean and cook fish with a fish fry. Dress for the weather, bring a lunch and water bottle, and return a signed permission form for this program.
Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/167665.
* Ages 16+ require a Missouri fishing permit, available at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits.
- Forest Foraging
Thursday, June 13, 5 - 8 p.m. – ages 12+
Join Runge staff and search for edible greens, berries, nuts, and roots. Then sample your foraged finds. Meet at Runge and carpool to nearby Scrivner Conservation Area.
Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/166987.
- Bio Blitz
Friday, June 21, 5 - 11 p.m., Saturday, June 22, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. – all ages
This 24-hour event is designed to help us explore the plants, animals, and other forms of life that call Runge home. Join expert-led, interactive excursions, including bat mist-netting, bird banding, moth black-lighting, small mammal trapping, and other species surveys. Lots of activities for kids and families, such as cane pole fishing, a firefly watch, pond exploration, pollinator discover, and a creek crawl. Photography and observation competition with prizes using iNaturalist. All attendees will be entered in a prize raffle and can earn prizes by participating. Free hotdogs, chips, and drinks will be available on Saturday.
No registration required.
More information at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/167507.
- Kids for Conservation: Survival 102
Wednesday, June 26, 9 - 11:30 a.m. – ages 7 - 12
Join MDC naturalists to discover valuable skills for surviving in the wilds of Missouri. Learn the correct actions to take if you find yourself in a survival situation, including how to build a shelter and fire.
Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/166990.
- Conservation Families: Family Fishing Fun
Thursday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., or 6 - 8 p.m. – all ages
Learn the basics of worm-and-bobber fishing with cane poles and other basic equipment for catch-and-release fishing at one of the ponds at Runge. Bring sun protection and a water bottle. All equipment will be provided.
Registration required for morning program at:
mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/166988.
Registration required for evening program at:
mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/166989.
* Ages 16+ require a Missouri fishing permit, available at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits.
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.
