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.