MDC’s Runge Nature Center announces January programs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City has a full schedule of programs planned for January. 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 short.mdc.mo.gov/ZPf.  

January programs at the nature center will include:

• Saturdays at Runge: Fly Tying
  Saturday, Jan. 4, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – all ages
  Tying flies can be easy, fun, and creative. Join nature center staff to learn more about the art of tying flies, including crafts and lobby activities.
  No registration required.
  More information at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/171037.
• Canada Goose Hunting
  Thursday, Jan. 9, 6 - 7 p.m. – all ages
  Join Runge Volunteer Naturalist Bruce Carpenter and discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about hunting Canada geese. Bruce has hunted Canada geese in Missouri for more than 60 years and spent 20 years as a hunting guide. This informative program will cover scouting, decoy selection and placement, concealment, safety, and trophy identification.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/171702
• Homeschool: Predators
  Thursday, Jan. 16, 10 - 11 a.m. – ages 6-17
  Predators aren’t mean or vicious, they are just trying to survive. Participants will be introduced to a few Missouri predators and learn about some of their special adaptations through slides, props, and live animals.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/171673.
• An Evening with Owls
  Friday, Jan. 17, 5:30 - 8 p.m. – all ages
  Learn to identify owls from their vocal calls with naturalist-led night hikes, owl pellet dissection, and live owl programs by University of Missouri’s Raptor Rehabilitation Project. Owl prowls and programs begin every half hour from 6 - 7:30 p.m.  
  No registration required.
  More information at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/171634.

• Saturdays at Runge: Winter Wildlife
  Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – all ages
  Have you ever wondered how wildlife survive the winter? Join nature center staff to learn about the adaptations that animals have for coping with winter’s harsh weather.
  No registration required.
  More information at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/171637.

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.  The nature center will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day, and Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, though trails will remain open.

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.