LINCOLN – Enjoy a variety of hands-on workshops based on nature and outdoor sports at Ponca State Park Aug. 9-14. Introductory courses on archery, kayaking, tomahawks, slingshots and various types of firearms will be offered. Participants can also make crafts and learn more about fossils, bugs, wildflowers and different types of fish found in the Missouri River in nature-related workshops. A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Fees apply to some activities. For more information, call …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a weekend of fun, history and patriotism with the Spirit of the Plains living history weekend Aug. 27-28 at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. The park will come alive with reenactors portraying soldiers, blacksmiths, surgeons, carpenters, and more. See them perform their period duties and drills from the 1870s. The public is invited to bring old, worn American flags for a flag retirement ceremony Aug. 27. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 3-12. …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lake. Visitors to Pawnee State Recreation Area should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. The lake will be tested weekly through the summer months, and the health advisory will …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors Aug. 20 at Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21502 W. Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna, from 9 a.m. to noon. Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Nebraska Game and Parks’ loaner fishing equipment and educational materials for events, as well as receive program incentives. They also are encouraged to volunteer for such Nebraska Game and Parks programs as Family …

LINCOLN – Fisheries biologists from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are investigating a die-off of common carp at Davis Creek Reservoir south of North Loup in central Nebraska. A viral infection is the expected cause of the die-off, and samples have been taken to verify the cause. The reservoir remains open to fishing, and no other species of fish have been impacted. Anglers should expect to see significant numbers of dead and decaying carp at the reservoir, with the …

LINCOLN – August is a great time to obtain Hunter Education certification in Nebraska. With hunting seasons are on the horizon, courses are forming and filling up. There are two main options to secure a Nebraska firearm or bowhunter education certificate: • Attend a traditional classroom course. These typically are broken up into several short sessions over a few days. Students attend all of the sessions and complete a written exam at the end. • Complete online course work. Participants …

LINCOLN – Enjoy family time and learning new skills at the Becoming an Outdoors-Family program on Aug. 12-14 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. Participants will learn basic outdoor skills in a fun, relaxed environment while working with expert instructors. Individual workshops will cover a variety of outdoor sports, such as fishing, camping, outdoor cooking and archery. “Our workshops are open to all types of families,” said Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Education Specialist Christy Christiansen. “Bring your grandchild, …

LINCOLN – The annual Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational will be held Sept. 24 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area in central Nebraska. This free competition is open to all youth ages 11 and older who have successfully completed Hunter Education and who have not yet graduated from high school. Shooters will be grouped into classes according to age, rifle weight, sight type and experience level. They may compete individually or as part of teams. Shooters should bring their own rifle …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a fun and safe day of easy competitive shooting for the entire family at the Rimfire Steel Plate Fun Shoot at Platte River State Park (SP) on Aug. 13. In this timed event, participants will shoot five strings of fire at five or six steel plates at distances of 20 feet to 30 yards. Shooters must be ages 10 and older. National Rifle Association range safety officers will provide instruction and all equipment will be provided (.22 …

LINCOLN – Families and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy a series of educational workshops at Ponca State Park Aug. 3-7. During nature-related workshops, participants can make crafts and learn about topics such as wildlife identification, catfish and birds. Participants can also try activities such as kayaking and archery or learn about various types of firearms. Hayrack tours will be offered on Aug. 6. A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Fees apply to some …