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Enjoy fall education opportunities at Nebraska’s Venture Parks

Join us at Nebraska’s Venture Parks in southeast Nebraska for a variety of educational opportunities this fall. Daily programs are planned throughout the week in September; for more information, visit Schramm Education Center on Facebook.

Our event highlights include:

Celebrate hatch day of world’s largest common snapping turtle

Visit Schramm Education Center in Gretna in September to help celebrate the hatch day of the world’s largest common snapping turtle, Big Snap Daddy.

The turtle is estimated to be 93 years old and has lived at the aquarium for over 30 years. He celebrates his hatch day this month.

While you’re there, make sure to check out the rest of the exhibit, which includes live animals, interactive activities and aquariums featuring Nebraska’s natural aquatic habitats.

Attend a writing hike for beginners at Schramm Education Center

Join Nebraska Master Naturalist, writer and educator Jeff Lacey on a hike designed to help naturalists of all ages write and sketch about the forest in a nature journal.

Whether you’re a poet, visual artist or scientist, here’s a great chance to develop your field journaling skills and to celebrate the forest in a supportive community.

The hike will take place Sept. 10 at Schramm Education Center. Two sessions are available, one from 10 a.m. to noon and the other from 1 to 3 p.m.

Game and Parks holding new outdoor program for seniors

Seniors are invited to come take part in a new program, Wise & Wild, at Nebraska’s Venture Parks on Thursdays in September.

The program is designed for seniors who love the outdoors and want to enjoy time in the parks. Educators will share a variety of nature-related topics with activities both indoors and out.

Programs are from 1 to 2 p.m. The schedule is:

  • 1: Turtles of Nebraska, at Platte River State Park Owen Landing
  • 8: Crawdad Creek, at Platte River State Park Nature Center
  • 15: Monarchs & More, at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Activity Center area gardens
  • 22: Beginner Birding, at Platte River State Park Nature Center
  • 29: Bird Identification, at Platte River State Park Nature Center

The program is free to attend.

Paddle at Platte River State Park on Friday evenings

Make your dinner date or family night complete with outdoor time on the lake. Join us at Owen Landing at Platte River State Park to partake in your preferred paddle-craft: kayak or canoe. These activities are available from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays in September.

Paddling is available for all skill levels and equipment is provided. Canoeing and kayaking is free on Friday nights.

Schramm Education Center offers educational fun on Saturdays

Enjoy learning new things at Schramm Education Center in Gretna on Saturdays in September. The day includes three programs filled with learning for all ages.

At 11 a.m., attend Seeds of Schramm, where we will learn about the pollinator gardens and prairie at Schramm Education Center, and then join a biologist to discover a variety of seeds. Meet in the lobby.

At 1 p.m., stop by the picnic tables in the birding area to attend the kite making session. Participants will create a kite and then fly it if weather permits.

At 3 p.m., visit the geological outcrop at the park for the Fossil Finding session. Visitors will investigate the outcrop and discover stories about the past and the fossils we find.

About shawna richter-ryerson

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