Mid Missouri Banner MDC’s Runge Nature Center reopens July 7 with health precautions

A group of kayakers paddle on a lake at sunset.
Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City will resume
public programs in July, including a kayak clinic at
Binder Lake. Make plans to attend an outdoor
 or virtual program and discover nature at Runge this July.

FREE public programs to resume, outdoors or in a virtual setting.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City will reopen July 7 with public health precautions in place. Outdoor programs will resume at the nature center this month, as well as virtual offerings. The nature center has released its program schedule for the month of July at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZPf. Most programs require registration in advance, and, unless otherwise noted, registration opens at 8 a.m. on July 1 for all programs.

To protect the health and safety of visitors and staff at the nature center, total building occupancy will be limited to 50 people at any time. During busy times, some visitors may need to wait outside until other guests exit the building. Visitors will need to use enter- and exit-only doors, and should bring their own drinking water, as drinking fountains will be out of service. Most public programs will take place virtually or outdoors. In any setting, guests must practice physical distancing and frequent handwashing.

July programs at the nature center will include:

• Summer Surprises — Virtual Programs
  Tuesdays in July, 1–1:30 p.m. — all ages
  In Missouri’s warmest season, nature can come alive at any moment, revealing many fascinating interactions. Join a 30-minute, naturalist-led virtual program each week to explore a new and exciting summer surprise.
  Registration required at: short.mdc.mo.gov/ZPf.
  
  
• Animal Feedings — Virtual Programs
  Fridays in July, 1–1:30 p.m. — all ages
  Join Runge naturalists each week to get up close and personal with some of Missouri’s coolest critters. Different creatures will be featured every week as we watch and learn how Runge’s animal ambassadors eat their food.
  Registration required at: short.mdc.mo.gov/ZPf.
  
  
• Exploring the Flora Factory — Virtual Program
  Thursday, July 16, 1–1:45 p.m. — ages 7–12
  We rely on plants for food, fuel, building products, medicines, and even the air we breathe. Discover processes that help plants thrive so we can survive, and conduct at-home experiments to demonstrate the inner workings of the flora factory.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173628.
  
  
• Night Hike @ Runge — Outdoor Program
  Friday, July 17, 9–10:30 p.m. — ages 6+
  Relax in the cool of a summer evening as we explore how animals use adaptations to survive and thrive in the darkness. Embark on a naturalist-led hike to explore our night senses and learn more about nocturnal mysteries on the Runge trails.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173627.

• Kayaking @ Binder Lake — Outdoor Program
  Thursday, July 23, 6–8 p.m. — ages 10+
  Discover the freedom of exploring a lake from a kayak. Learn about paddling and all the basics to get you water-ready. MDC will provide all equipment.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173626.
  
  
• The Hikers @ Prairie Garden Trust — Outdoor Program
  Saturday, July 25, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. — ages 18+
  Travel to Prairie Garden Trust in New Bloomfield to hike some of the shorter trails on the area. Bring lunch, water, and insect repellent, and dress for the weather.
  Registration required at: mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173629.

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 registrants create a profile and register for events, they will receive details about those specific programs.

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 July 3–4 for Independence 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.

MDC's Andy Dalton Shooting Range to re-open July 8

The Missouri Department of Conservation's
Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center
 in Greene County will re-open to the public on July 8.
The facility closed March 23 as a precautionary
 step to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Facility will have new Wednesday-Sunday schedule.

ASH GROVE, Mo. – Finding a date the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center could re-open has been a priority for MDC staff from the moment the facility closed its doors in March.

That date has finally arrived. On July 8, MDC’s Dalton Range will re-open to the public, ending a closure caused by coronavirus concerns that began March 23. This closure was a precautionary measure and was not due to any documentation of COVID-19 being found at the facility. MDC’s Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is located at 4897 N. Greene County Farm Road 61 near Ash Grove.

Commencing with its re-opening, the Dalton Range will have new hours. Beginning with its July 8 re-opening and running through Aug. 31, the range’s hours will be:

• Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Thursday; 1 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Closed Monday, Tuesday and all state holidays.

“We are excited to be able to reopen the Dalton Range and welcome back shooters,” said MDC Outdoor Education Center Manager Mike Brooks. “In addition to new hours of operation, shooters will see some operational changes we have made to help increase public and staff safety. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we venture into the new normal at Dalton Range.”

As is the case with many other re-openings, the Dalton Range’s transition back to normalcy will be gradual. For the present, when people arrive at the range to shoot, one person from each group will come to the processing table in front of the range building to receive ear plugs and safety glasses and provide staff with a cell phone number. Visitors will be instructed to wait in their vehicles until Dalton staff calls them and at that time, they will receive check-in instructions. Here are other things people need to remember when they visit Dalton Range:

• Wearing a mask will be optional
• For the present, the kiosk system will not be used
• All visitors will be asked to practice social distancing (at least six feet between groups) while waiting in line to be processed.
• No more than two people allowed per booth with no spectators and no exceptions
• No loaner equipment (spotting scopes, ear muffs, etc.) will be provided
• Only one person allowed to go down-range during ceasefires
• Restrooms will be available. However public will not have access to water fountains, vending machine or coffee
• No more than five people on a shotgun field at a time
• All range use is limited to 90 minutes on all venues when a waiting line exists

For more information about MDC’s Andy Dalton Range and Outdoor Education Center, call 417-742-4361.

Application period for 2020 managed dove hunts on Columbia Bottom CA opens July 1-31

The managed dove hunt application period for
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake
 runs July 1-July 31. All registrations for the 2020 season
 will be performed online at 
https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z7V.

Hunters will be able to apply online to participate in this year’s Columbia Bottom managed dove hunts.

SPANISH LAKE, Mo.—Dove hunting season is just around two months away, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will accept applications for managed dove hunts on one of its most popular dove hunting areas in the St. Louis region. Missouri’s statewide dove hunting season opens September 1 and closes Nov. 29.

The managed dove hunt application period for Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake opens on July 1 and runs through July 31. 

Only one application per person will be accepted. Successful applicants will receive a daily hunting permit in the mail prior to August 25. Applicants may request weekends only or any day. At least 50 applicants will be selected by random drawing for each of the first 7 days of the dove hunting season. Successful applicants will receive notification by mail.

For the first 7 days of the season, dove hunting will only be permitted from 1 p.m. to sunset daily.

Each hunter may bring one hunting partner with them on the day of the hunt. All hunters will be required to use non-toxic shot when hunting doves at Columbia Bottom.

Hunters with disabilities may call 636-441-4554 to reserve the ADA field after being successfully drawn for the hunt. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis.

“River levels remain high due to the continued release of water by upstream reservoirs from last year’s flood events and this spring’s heavy rainfalls,” said MDC Wildlife Biologist Jessi Tapp. “Any heavy rainfalls in the Midwest may result in floodwaters impacting our planted dove fields. We will notify successful applicants as soon as possible about any important changes or impacts to dove fields,” Tapp explained .

Tapp also said that MDC staff had to make a difficult decision to not hold a managed youth dove hunt or a youth dove hunt clinic this year. “Due to staff vacancies and uncertainties related to COVID-19, holding a youth clinic just isn’t logistically possible this year. We hope to resume this important youth outreach program in 2021, if conditions allow,” said Tapp .

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road in north St. Louis County, at the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles.

Discover red, white, and blue in nature this holiday weekend

If you are looking for some things to do away from the crowds on this Independence Day, the MDC has some great ideas... Read on for more info:

Find MDC Places to Go and Things to Do online and through the MDC MO Outdoors app.

Male Summer Tanager

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With the Fourth-of-July weekend coming up, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages people to look for some red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

MDC offers some suggestions to get started finding red, white, and blue in nature:

• Red Royal Catchfly Flowers,
• Red Male Summer Tanagers,
• White Beard-Tongues or Foxgloves,
• White Great Egrets,
• Blue False Indigos, and
• Male Indigo Buntings.

Beard-Tongue or Foxglove

Want more information on these and other Missouri plants and animals, including where to find them? Use the handy and helpful MDC online Field Guide at nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/search.

Need suggestions on things to do for outdoor adventures? Find Things to Do with MDC online at nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities. Offerings include: cycling on trails, backyard nature fun, birdwatching, fishing, camping, floating, outdoor cooking, hiking, hunting, nature photography, wildlife watching, and more.

Need to find Places to Go for outdoor adventures? Visit MDC online at nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places.

Take MO Outdoors on Adventures

Male Indigo Bunting on American Feverfew

With MDC’s free mobile app -- MO Outdoors -- users can quickly and easily find MDC outdoor offerings based on the types of outdoor activities they want -- close to home, work, or even while traveling.

MO Outdoors can help users find MDC conservation areas, fishing accesses, hiking trails, and more around the state based on their desired types of outdoor activities. Users can also mark “favorite” locations to quickly find them in future searches.

MO Outdoors also connects users to area regulations and season information; hours of operation; images; area closings; and interactive maps of area boundaries and features, parking lots, boat ramps, and wildlife viewing areas using their device’s GPS. Users can also download maps for offline use.

MO Outdoors is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

Celebrate Safely!

MDC reminds everyone to be careful with fireworks, campfires, and other sources of fire that could cause a wildfire. Fireworks are prohibited on all MDC conservations areas, accesses, and other Department locations.

MDC reminds the public that it is still critical to continue to heed all COVID-19 public-health measures during outdoor activities, such as physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, handwashing, and others.

Nature's Calling - July 2020

Current River

Some really cool research shows that kids who spend time outdoors experience less stress and have a better quality of life.  This same dynamic holds true for adults.  Fishing is one way to experience the outdoors.

Did you know that MDC offers lots of educational opportunities as well as equipoment rental for those who are just getting started fishing and otherwise spending time in the outdoors?

This video from MDC covers these topics and more.  For additional info on experiencing the outdoors, whether on your own or as a family, visit family-outdoors.com.

MDC offers virtual fishing clinic July 18 to help new anglers learn the sport

Get started fishing with tackle and technique tips from experts

Kansas City, Mo. – Fishing is fun, and the first steps to catching a fish are getting basic tackle ready to use and knowing where and how to present lures and bait in the water. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a virtual fishing clinic via the internet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18. Instructors from MDC’s Kansas City and Northwest regions will cover topics such tackle, casting, fish identification, regulations, and ethics.

This clinic is an excellent opportunity for people to learn the basic fishing skills and gear needed to get started and catch fish. Experienced anglers also may find a tip or two that helps them catch more fish or a new species. Western Missouri has a variety of waters to fish in, from farm ponds and small streams to large rivers and lakes.

Besides instruction, this virtual session will offer question and answer interaction for participants. This clinic will help anglers learn skills from the comfort of home that they can take outdoors and go fishing. MDC is offering some in-person outdoor programs in the coming weeks with safety protocols as a precaution against the COVID-19 virus. But staff will also offer virtual programs as an easy way for people to connect with the outdoors and learn lifetime skills.

Participants are asked to pre-register for the virtual clinic by July 16 by visiting https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8p. They must register with a valid email address. A link will be sent via email for them to join the clinic online on July 18.

Missouri offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities for anglers whether fishing from shore or a watercraft. To learn more about fishing, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.

MDC to offer virtual floating, fishing programs in upcoming weeks

Kayaks such as the one pictured above
are great vessels for stream fishing
 or for exploring area waterways.
Kayak skills are among the stream-oriented information
people can get in three online programs
 put on by the Missouri Department of Conservation's
Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center staff.

Free online programs will cover kayaking, stream fishing, and how to "read" a stream.

JOPLIN, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) does not want to let concerns about COVID-19 prevent people from getting outside and enjoying the state’s streams.

Coronavirus precautions have changed programming schedules at MDC facilities. Because of this, MDC is taking programs to the people in the form of online educational programs.

In the upcoming weeks, MDC’s Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center staff will offer three programs that provide information people can use to have fun on area streams.

Kayak for Beginners will be offered from 2-2:30 p.m. on June 29. This program will help people understand the fundamentals of kayaking. Topics that will be covered include the types of kayaks and the basic equipment needed to float Missouri’s lakes and streams safely. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173574

River Fishing: Bass will be 11-11:30 a.m. on July 7. This clinic will focus on how to fish for bass in area streams. Topics that will be covered include locations to fish, strategies, equipment, rules, and regulations. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173634

Reading the River will be offered 1-1:30 p.m. on July 9. This clinic will help you develop the skills needed to assess the safety of a stream and make good decisions about how, when, and if floating is a good idea. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173635

All of these programs are free, however, registration is required to participate using the links listed above for each respective program. Registrants must provide an e-mail, so a program link can be sent to them. Registrants will be able to log-in beginning 10 minutes prior to start time of the class. These programs will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with presenters. For more information, contact MDC Conservation Educator Andy Rhodes at Andrew.Rhodes@mdc.mo.gov.