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Catch these Game and Parks education events in February

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in February. Here are several opportunities:

Nature Tales story time for pre-K has two events in February

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host the free, virtual pre-K program, Nature Tales, at 10 a.m. Central time Feb. 1 and Feb. 8.

Outdoor educators from across the state will read, via Zoom, a nature-themed children’s book, then lead an activity for children, their families and caregivers. The themes will be clouds on Feb. 1 and slugs and snails on Feb. 8.

The webinars will be recorded and posted to the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel. Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to access the link to join the program.

Little Saplings early childhood program presents Backyard Bird Count

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery program will have the program, Great Backyard Bird Count, at Schramm Education Center at 9 a.m. Feb. 2.

Participants will see how many types of birds can be spotted at the center’s feeders and will practice using binoculars to search for birds.

This program, designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver, will bring nature themes to life through stories, sensory activities, crafts and outdoor exploration.

See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

All About Amphibians educator workshop is Feb. 2

LINCOLN, Neb. – What is the difference between frogs and toads? What is the lifecycle of a salamander?

The virtual All About Amphibians educator workshop at 6 p.m. Feb. 2 will use Nebraska amphibians to explore science and ecology concepts for participants to take back to their students. Participants will receive a curriculum guide, free amphibian-related educational swag, and two hours of approved in-service.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Game and Parks to host The Science of … series in February

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host the virtual webinar series The Science of … each Thursday in February.

Starting at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common findings in nature or animals. The schedule for the series is: Feb. 3 – Geology and Fossils; Feb. 10 – Mussels; Feb. 17 – Rodents; Feb. 24 – Earthworms.

The webinar is free, but registration is required in the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel. Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.

Enjoy virtual winter wildlife tracking program Feb. 5

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn some tricks and tips on identifying common Nebraska wildlife tracks by participating Feb. 5 in the virtual Snowy Saturday Series: Winter Wildlife Tracking.

This free Facebook live workshop will begin at 9 a.m. as outdoor educators also will teach the signal that these animals are leaving behind in the snow. At the end of this interactive experience, participants should be able to confidently head out and look for tracks, signs and identify animals in their area.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to access the link to join the program.

Join Insect Investigations educator workshop Feb. 9

LINCOLN, Neb. – Come and see what kids really want to know about insects in the Insect Investigations educator workshop. This free virtual event will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 9.

This workshop, for formal and informal educators of grades kindergarten through fourth, will explore how they can incorporate insects into classrooms or afterschool programs.

Participants will receive information on basic insect anatomy and lifecycles, hands-on supplemental activities, door prizes and two hours of approved in-service.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to access the link to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Nature Nerd Night to feature Animal Love on Feb. 15

LINCOLN, Neb. — In the natural world, finding the right mate is an important part of a species’ survival. In the Nebraska Nature Nerd Night virtual webinar Animal Love, outdoor educators will discuss the surprisingly scientific and creative world of animal pair bonding and reproduction. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Central time Feb. 15.

Registration is required through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. Participants also may submit questions to be answered during the webinar while registering.

Those unable to attend can view the recorded webinar on the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel.

The Nebraska Nature Nerd Night series, for curious adults, takes places on the third Tuesday of every month.

For more information, contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov or follow the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission or Nebraska Wildlife Education on Facebook.

Homeschool Hike set for Feb. 16 at Schramm Park SRA

LINCOLN, Neb. – Come to Schramm Park State Recreation Area on Feb. 16 for Homeschool Hikes, a nature exploration program at for homeschool families.

On the third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m., an outdoor educator leads a guided hike while participants ask questions, draw, observe and make discoveries in nature.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information and to register.

Nature Math educator workshop scheduled for Feb. 16

LINCOLN, Neb. – Discover how nature can be used as a tool to teach math concepts such as symmetry, patterns, counting, observations and the Fibonacci sequence. The Nature Math educator workshop Feb. 16 is for formal and informal educators of grades kindergarten through fourth.

Participants of this free virtual event, which begins at 6 p.m., will receive Math and Nature literature books, age-appropriate lessons and two hours of approved in-service.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to access the link to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Nature Experience Learning Centers educator training: Animal Tracks and ID

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nature Experience Learning Center educator trainings are a series of short virtual educator workshops, each focusing on a different nature topic. The topic at 1 p.m. Feb. 21 will be animal tracks and identification.

This workshop is for in-home and center childcare providers of children ages birth through 5. Learn the similarities and differences between different wildlife tracks as well as everything students can acquire from looking at animal tracks. Fun activities will be included.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Explore plants during virtual workshop Feb. 23

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Plantology educator workshop explores plants using hands-on activities aimed at strengthening observations skills. This free virtual workshop will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 23.

Participants will receive plant-related literature books, the Plantology activity and exploration guide and two hours of approved in-service.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to access the link to register. For questions, email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Learn about Nebraska invasive species at Schramm Sunday Speaker Series

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn how invasive species pose a threat to Nebraska’s natural resources by attending the Schramm Sunday Speaker Series at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

Allison Zach, program coordinator for the Nebraska Invasive Species Program, will discuss the invasive plants, animals, and other organisms that cause harm when they are introduced to an area in which they are not native.

The event is free, but seating is limited. Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information or to register.

The Schramm Sunday Speaker Series is a monthly program where experts in the field deliver presentations related to nature and science in Nebraska. All programs take place in the Schramm Education Center classroom.

Visitors also wishing to tour Schramm Education Center must pay admission to the center and enter through the main entrance. No park permit is required in the Center’s parking lot.

For more information, contact Jen Ruyle, outdoor education specialist, at jennifer.ruyle@nebraska.govor 402-332-5022.

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