Events

Welcome Summertime with a guided public tour of the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery! Join a Naturalist to learn the difference between the Rainbow and Brown Trout raised at the hatchery, then visit the raceways and discover the amazing trout-raising process! And for just a quarter, you can feed the fish, too! Tours will meet at the large trout aquarium inside the Conservation Education Center.

Tours will be held four times daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning May 26th and continuing through Friday, September 4th. (The Hatchery will be closed for state holidays on June 19th and July 4th.)

All ages are invited, and no registration is required. For questions, call us at 417-334-4865 ext. 0, or email Shepherd@mdc.mo.gov.

Discover what’s for dinner at Burr Oak Woods as the nature center’s amphibians, fish, and turtles enjoy their feast every Tuesday and Friday. The snakes are fed on the second and fourth Wednesday (June 10 & 24).

Nature printmaking is the art of creating lifelike images on paper or fabric with found objects from nature. MDC Naturalist Pat Whalen exhibits nature prints from his personal work and programs he presents at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. His prints will be on display in the west wing hallway through August. 

Columbia Missouri Artist Christine Doerr’s art is inspired by a lifetime shaped by nature, travel, and service, from the Ozarks to the Mediterranean. Rooted in the landscapes of Gans Creek, it highlights both beauty and its environmental vulnerability. Her art will be on display in the lobby through June.

After finding painted rocks around Jefferson City, Janet Bonnot joined the JC Rocks movement in 2018. Her nature-inspired rock work is on display in the west wing hallway through June. No registration required. All ages

Read a picture book as you walk along the Nature Center trails. The StoryWalk®, available June 17-30, is provided in partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Library. All ages. No registration required.

Splash on in for some summer outdoor fun! This free, one-day camp will be full of adventure as we dive into Missouri’s aquatic habitats. A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child must only register for one camp day per year. Your outdoor adventure awaits!

Spend the day on the water paddling and exploring the beautiful Gasconade River, floating from Rollins Ferry to Pointers Creek Access (7 miles). This guided adventure offers a fun and scenic way to experience one of Missouri’s most iconic rivers. Round-trip transportation from Runge Nature Center is provided along with kayaks, paddles, and a personal flotation device. Participants need to pack a lunch, bring a water bottle and wear close-toed shoes that can get wet. Parents/caregivers must complete a permission form for the participant before joining the event. Forms can be picked up from Runge and/or will be e-mailed out prior to the event.

Join us on a walk-through native pollinator habitat. Enjoy the view while learning to identify native plants and ask questions about the establishment of natives.

This workshop will take place near Gerald, MO. **Exact location will be given after registration.**

Registration required (adults) Grab your walking shoes and get ready for a leisurely paced hike through the West Bottoms neighborhood. Covering roughly 2.5 miles, this flat hike will utilize sidewalks, brick streets and grassy lawns to explore nature in this historic neighborhood. During the hike we will discuss native and invasive plants, wildlife ID and hiking safety. The instructor will e-mail the exact meeting location to the to the participants the week prior to the hike. You will receive an e-mail from the instructor if weather conditions indicate a need to cancel the program. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.