MDC’s Runge Nature Center announces September 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 September. 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 Sept. 1 for all programs.

September programs at the nature center will include:

• River Bluffs Audubon
  Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m. – all ages
  Tim Smith, retired MDC ombudsman, will present “A Conservation Ombudsman’s Questions form the Public – Six Years of the Interesting and Unusual.”
  No registration required.
  More information at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/160561
• Saturdays at Runge: Whitetail Scouting
  Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – all ages
  White-tailed deer season is quickly approaching. Come visit Runge and learn some new ideas and tips to improve your season. Learn how to track elusive deer and test your skills on a scouting hike. Professional whitetail guides will be on site to assist you and answer questions. If you want to have the most successful deer season yet, spend your Saturday with us!
  No registration required.
  More information at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/157952
• Saturdays at Runge: Monarch Migration Madness
  Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – all ages
  Monarch butterflies are on the move to Mexico! Join us as we study these incredible, colorful insects on their journey south.
  No registration required.
  More information at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/157953
• Tagging Migrating Monarchs
  Thursday, Sept. 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m. – ages 7-17 years
  Where to monarchs migrate? How do they get there? Help us answer these questions as we study and tag monarchs on their southward migration.
  Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/169367
• Lake Sturgeon: Living Links to the Past
  Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 - 8 p.m. – all ages
  Join MDC Fisheries Management Biologist Travis Moore to learn about Missouri’s longest-lived fish species. This presentation will include information on their interesting life history, what MDC is doing to restore this species, and what the future holds for lake sturgeon in Missouri.
  No registration required.
  More information at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/169401

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.