Events

Come learn the basics of watercolor while painting a beautiful Missouri Wildflower! No experience necessary. You will be guided through this unique way of painting, and you will take your new art piece home with you. Registration required. Ages 14+

This class is a 12-month program (June 2023-May 2024) that meets each month. You will learn simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques as we explore some of the most stunning and unique trees native to Missouri.

By signing up, you are committing to attend all twelve of the monthly sessions so that you will be able to complete all 15 blocks for an entire quilt.

*Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 1 is required before attending this program*

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Participants will learn intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants will be taught how to tie an improved clinch knot and how to properly secure a variety of baits to various types of hooks.

All fishing gear will be provided by the instructors. Please wear clothing and close-toed shoes suitable for outdoor and water activities. It is recommended that participants bring sunglasses, a water bottle, and sunscreen.

This class is for Children and Families of all ages! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All participants who complete all 4 Discover Nature Fishing Lessons will go home with a free fishing reward to encourage fishing with the family.

To register your child, you may need to make a family account, or add them to an existing family account. You can also make you child their own, separate account.

Join regional mushroom educator Mike Snyder for a fun and informative virtual class about summertime mushrooms!

In this one hour program, Mike will share information about how to identify the most common edible mushrooms that occur in Missouri during the summer as well as give tips on how to use them in the kitchen.

Mike will also show us a few of the most common toxic summer fungi and how to know and avoid them. This is a perfect opportunity to learn how to forage for the mushroom bounty of the warm season here in our state!

There will be a 30 minute Question and Answer session at the conclusion of the program, so write those questions down!

Mike Snyder is a myco-educator who has been studying and foraging for mushrooms for over 15 years. He is on the Board of the Missouri Mycological Society and heads up both the Speaking Engagement and the Research committees for that organization. He is a certified mushroom identification expert in three states and serves on the Cultivation Committee of the North American Mycological Association. He stays busy with speaking engagements, forays, workshops and classes he provides around the region and has been fortunate enough to teach a large number of people about foraging and cultivating mushrooms in recent years through his business WildWise Botanicals.

You will be sent a Webex link for the event the day prior to the program. If you do not see this link, please check your spam folder for it and add MDC to your safe sender list.

Join us as we read OF TIME AND TURTLES by Sy Montgomery (one of our favorite authors). This book is about rescuing turtles and the people who devote their lives to saving them.

Learn about common spring flowers and head out on the trail to find some.

“ . . . and fish is fish and that’s that!” So writes Leo Lionni in his classic book, Fish Is Fish. We will explore their watery world this month through crafts, activities, and a story. Registration required. At least one child in the 0-2 range AND at least one child in the 3-6 range.

Learn about common spring flowers and head out on the trail to find some.

The animals are hungry! Watch as a Runge naturalist feeds the snakes, amphibians, and turtles. Be sure to include your email address in your registration. Presenter will email the program link to participants both the day before and day of the program. Registration required. All ages

You are invited to our annual stream team clean-up at Runge on our section of Wears Creek. Let’s wade in the water, pick up trash, and explore the life that calls our creek home. Don’t forget to wear old clothes and shoes to get wet and muddy. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Registration required. Ages 7-12