Events

Artwork on display in lobby.

From artist Terry Martin: "I was fortunate to grow up in Missouri, where there were lakes, streams, and rivers to explore. Mine is a state with a premier conservation effort! I had a bicycle and a fishing rod (a fortunate son!). As a boy, I was up at daylight each day and home when it got dark. I developed more and more of an interest in the wildlife and geography of my surroundings. I discovered artists like John James Audubon, Roger Tory Peterson, Maynard Reece, and fellow Missourian Charles W. Schwartz. Also of great influence were naturalists John Muir, Marlin Perkins, and Robert Bateman."

Terry Martin's art will be on exhibit in the Runge lobby until April 30. No registration required. All ages

Agents of Discovery is a mobile app game that takes your visit to Runge to another dimension! As an Agent, your mission is a scavenger hunt played on your phone to discover different things animals do in spring. Explore the exhibits in the nature center to find QR codes with info and questions about animals. Find all the QR codes in the scavenger hunt and answer all questions to win. Then come to the front desk to claim your prize! No registration required. All ages

Raised on a farm in the Missouri river bottoms, Dan Brueggeman developed an early appreciation of wildlife and the out-of-doors. It wasn't until 1984 that the artist encountered his future vocation, when he met a decoy carver and was fascinated by the amount of realism obtainable in wood sculpture. Dan's first decoy, although it bears little resemblance to today's works, is still the most prized piece in his collection. In addition to the original waterfowl, Dan has expanded his focus to encompass songbirds, fish, game birds, mammals and raptors. He has been honored with numerous awards, including several "Best of Show" awards. His carvings currently grace many private and corporate art collections. The exhibition is located in the west wing at Runge and can be viewed through June 30, 2024.

River Region Photography Association presents "The Visions of Nature."

The members of the R.R.P.A. enjoy spending time in the natural areas of Missouri, photographing the flora, fauna and landscapes that make the state unique. Please enjoy their visions, then go out and enjoy your own piece of nature.

Stop by anytime this month to see this exhibit.

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 10 & 24).

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 (Apr 10th & 24th).

Celebrate Earth Day all week with us! Artificial lighting helps humans function in the dark, but robs wildlife of their ability to perform daily functions. Join us as we learn the effects of light pollution on plants and wildlife and what we can do to stop it. This program will not be recorded. Please include a valid email address when you register so we can send you a virtual program link.

Fishing is a great way for kids and families to have fun outdoors, learn about conservation, and make happy memories. Our Discover Nature-Fishing program is a hands-on, four-part fishing instruction series that helps families gain the skills and confidence they need to go fishing on their own.

This program will cover the Discover Nature-Fishing Lessons 1 and 2, which are best to complete before Lessons 3 and 4 (hosted later). Participants will learn about fishing equipment, casting, rigging a fishing rod, baiting a hook, and proper fish handling. The Discover Nature-Fishing program is available for ages 7 and up. This program will take place at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. Participants will not be required to have a valid fishing license for this program.

Veterans are invited to fish for free Saturday (April 20) at Bennett Springs State Park’s Veterans’ Fishing Day event. This special day is a chance for any veteran to get out and fish! Missouri offers tremendous trout park fishing opportunities and Bennett Spring proudly sponsors this event and an opportunity to fish for FREE.

At Veterans’ Fishing Day, fishing is free for all veterans. There is no license or daily tag fee. All veterans can pick up free trout tags at the park store on the Friday evening before or anytime on Saturday during the event. Fishing hours for the event will be 7 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.

During the event a part of the park’s Zone 2 fishing area will be specially stocked and reserved for anglers who are veterans. Adjacent to the fishing area, volunteers will be hosting a hospitality tent featuring fly tying demos, lessons, casting instruction, and the latest adaptive fishing equipment.

If you are interested in trout fishing, come out and fish with one of our heroes on the water – many volunteers will be on hand to show you the ropes! Not quite sure, practice with some of the casting games on the lawn or tie up a fly.

For more information please contact Ben Havens at Ben.Havens@mdc.mo.gov or call the hatchery at 417-532-4418.