Happy 2024! Which means that 2023 is officially over. It has been another amazing year for the Runge Biodiversity Project. During the last year, 53 observers added 1,536 observations of 684 different species. Of the 684 species observed, 110 are new to the project, an amazing addition that helped push the project to over 2,000 species. Equally as impressive, of the 53 observers that made observations in 2023, 31 were first time observers to the project.

The most observed species in 2023 were:

1 - Monarch - 29 observations
2 - Great spangled fritillary - 26 observations
3 - Swamp metalmark (Species of Conservation Concern) - 25 observations
4 - Common boxturtle - 15 observations
T5 - Red milkweed beetle - 10 observations
T5 - Wild turkey - 10 observations

The current total for the number of observers, observations, species for the life of the Runge Biodiversity Project are:

267 Observers
13,287 Observations
2,023 Species

The most commonly observed species for life of the project are:

1 - Monarch - 136 observations
2 - Swamp metalmark (Missouri Species of Conservation Concern) - 135 observations
3 - Wild turkey - 102 observations
4 - Common box turtle - 100 observations
5 - Great spangled fritillary - 81 observations

Thank you for your continued effort and support as we strive to learn more about the biodiversity that calls Runge Nature Center home.

It is finally feeling like winter here at Runge. The average temperature has dropped, and snow is falling and in the forecast for the foreseeable future. But don't let winter keep you from getting outside. Come by Runge to enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and watch birds coming to the feeders in the wildlife viewing area. While you are here, get out and explore Runge, by participating in the Explore Runge Observation Challenge. Grab instructions for the challenge and a map from the front desk of the nature center. Then hit the trails and make an observation of any plant, animal, or fungus on each one of Runge's five hiking trails. After uploading your observation to iNaturalist and adding them to the "Runge Biodiversity Project", return to the front desk to claim your free field guide, nature exploration bandana, and pocket magnifier.

Explore! Observe! Have fun!

It has been a wonderful, mild weathered, late fall here at Runge. Get outside and enjoy the weather and Runge while completing our new iNauturalist Explore Runge Observation Challenge. Grab instructions for the challenge and a map from the front desk of the nature center. Then hit the trails and make an observation of any plant, animal, or fungus on each one of Runge's five hiking trails. After uploading your observation to iNaturalist and adding them to the "Runge Biodiversity Project", return to the front desk to claim your free field guide, nature exploration bandana, and pocket magnifier.

Explore! Observe! Have fun!

The Runge Biodiversity Project has now documented over 2000 species of plant, animal, and fungi on the nature center grounds! This is all thanks to the massive effort of our 260 observers taking the time to explore nature at Runge and add their observations to iNaturalist. A special thanks go out to the folks that took part in the Insect at Night program on August 18th. During the program, observers added 144 observations of 82 species, 15 of which were new to the project. That brought us to 1999 species. Several plants were then added to take us past 2000!

But, of course, we are not finished. Keep on exploring by getting outside at Runge. While you're here, see if you can complete the iNaturalist Pollinator Challenge, which can be found at the front desk of the nature center. Simply go out and observe a combination of five pollinators and/or flowering plants on the Runge grounds. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free field guide, native plant seed packet, and butterfly net. Explore! Observe! Have fun!

It's starting to feel a lot like summer at Runge. Cicadas, birds, and frogs are calling, butterflies and bees are busy visiting an ever-growing number and diversity of flowers, and heat and humidity can be felt as soon as you open a door to head outside. But just because its hot doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't get out and about. Summer is a great time to visit Runge. Take a morning or evening walk around the area, borrow a net from the front desk to catch insects, or splash around in the creek. While you're out, see if you can complete the iNaturalist Pollinator Challenge, which can be found at the front desk of the nature center. Simply go out and observe a combination of five pollinators and/or flowering plants on the Runge grounds. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free field guide, native plant seed packet, and butterfly net. Explore! Observe! Have fun!

The beginning of 2023 marks the end of 2022, another amazing year for the Runge Biodiversity Project. During the last year, 53 observers added 1,394 observations of 620 different species. Of the 620 species observed, 83 are new to the project, an amazing addition. One of the more exciting observations of the year was a species of sand wasp, Nysson plagiatus, which marks the first occasion that this wasp has been observed in Missouri (according to iNaturalist and several other sources). This observation can be found at the following link: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127406372

The most observed species in 2022 were:

1 - Swamp metalmark (Missouri Species of Conservation Concern) - 28 observations
2 - Sachem - 20 observations
3 - Common box turtle - 17 observations
4 - Monarch - 13 observations
5 - Red-banded hairstreak, Cloudless sulphur, Orange sulphur, Pearl crescent, Painted turtle, and Partridge pea - all of which had 9 observations

The current total for the number of observers, observations, species, and most observed species for the life of the Runge Biodiversity Project are:

236 Observers
11,754 Observations
1,913 Species

The most commonly observed species for life of the project are:

1 - Swamp metalmark (Missouri Species of Conservation Concern) - 110 observations
2 - Monarch - 107 observations
3 - Wild turkey - 92 observations
4 - Common box turtle - 85 observations
5 - Purple coneflower - 67 observations

Thank you for your continued effort and support as we strive to learn more about the biodiversity that calls Runge Nature Center home.

Challenge yourself to get outside this winter by participating in our iNaturalist Observation Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger hunts can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the hunt using the iNaturalist app or website and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free nature discovery item. Get out, explore, and observe this winter at Runge.

Cool, crisp morning and warm, sunny afternoons have things feeling like fall at Runge. Along with the change in the temperature, falling leaves, blooming goldenrod (and soon asters), migrating birds, butterflies, and dragonflies, and dropping fruit (walnuts, persimmons, and plums) are further evidence that autumn will officially arrive shortly. Get in on the fall fun by visiting the nature center and/or attending one of our programs. Programs include activities such as bird walks, monarch tagging, microfishing, and outdoor skills. Learn more and sign up at the following link

https://mdc.mo.gov/events?combine_event=&location=2713&county=All&region=All

Don't forget about our iNaturalist BINGO Observation Challenge. Challenges that can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free field guide and bug clutch.

Explore! Observe! Have fun! this fall at Runge

Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, butterflies are plentiful, and temperatures have been in the 90's for weeks. Summer is well underway at Runge. But even with all this heat, it is still a great time to get out and explore the nature center. Hike down to the creek to cool off, borrow a net to catch insects or aquatic critters, and ask about using binoculars to observe birds at the viewing area. And, don't forget about our iNaturalist BINGO Observation Challenge. Challenges that can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free field guide and bug clutch.

Explore! Observe! Have fun! this summer at Runge

The end of 2021 marks another very successful year for the Runge Biodiversity Project. During the last year, 58 observers added 1,954 observations of 841 different species. Of the 841 species observed, 190 are new to the project, an amazing addition.

Even more impressive is the contribution made by participants who took part in a Insects @ Night program at the nature center. Participants had the opportunity to observe insects at black lighting and bait stations. During the course of the night, 8 iNaturalist observers recorded over 300 observations of 155 different species, 65 of which were new to the project!

The most observed species in 2021 were:

1 - Swamp metalmark (Missouri Species of Conservation Concern) - 24 observations
2 - Common box turtle - 18 observations
3 - Monarch - 17 observations
4 - Pearl crescent - 14 observations
5 - Green frog - 12 observations

Thanks to your observations in 2021 and years past, we surpassed 10,000 total observation in September with the addition of a gray tree frog observation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/94924281), and added our 200th observer to the project in October. The current total for the number of observers, observations, species, and most observed species for the life of the Runge Biodiversity Project are:

202 Observers
10,271 Observations
1,830 Species

1 - Monarch - 94 observations
2 - Wild turkey - 83 observations
3 - Common box turtle - 80 observations
4 - Swamp metalmark (Missouri Species of Conservation Concern) - 72 observations
5 - Purple coneflower - 67 observations

Thank you for your continued effort and support as we strive to learn more about the biodiversity that calls Runge Nature Center home.

Challenge yourself to get outside this winter by participating in our iNaturalist Observation Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger hunts can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the hunt using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free nature discovery item. Get out, explore, and observe this winter at Runge.

The Runge Biodiversity Project has reached another major milestone in the short life of the project. With the addition of a Gray treefrog observation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/94924281), we have reached our 10,000th observation!!! Thank you to our 198 observers who added their observations, and allowed us to accomplish all we have in 4.5 years. Keep up the good work by getting out to Runge Conservation Nature Center to discover nature.

Don't forget about the BINGO Observation Challenge that can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop back at the front desk to receive a free field guide and bug clutch.

Birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and insects can be found just about everywhere. Spring is a great time to get outside at Runge and explore nature. Come visit us at the nature center and see what is happening. Borrow a net to scoop and explore critters from one of our ponds, ask about using a set of binoculars to view birds at the feeders, and check out our new iNaturalist BINGO Observation Challenge. Challenges can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the challenge using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free field guide and bug clutch. Explore! Observe! Have fun!