LINCOLN, Neb. — Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in celebrating its first state recreation area in a Blast from the Past throwback event July 10 at Victoria Springs in Custer County. Watch a vintage baseball game; follow along on a history walking tour of grounds; take a paddleboat out for a spin on the lake; or catch a spectacular laser light show highlighting the parks’ centennial year. “This event truly will be a Blast from the Past and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska has many native pollinators, including more than 200 species of butterflies alone. Celebrate the role they play during Nebraska Pollinator Week this June 21- 27. Through the pollination of crops, insect pollinators add more than $217 billion to the worldwide economy. Species also pollinate more than 180,000 plant species worldwide – ensuring ecosystems produce food for countless other species, including pheasants, songbirds and mammals. Nebraska Pollinator Week is the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s statewide focus …

LINCOLN, Neb. – In an effort to provide better customer service, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is staggering the beginning sale dates for big game permits. Staggering the sale dates will help the electronic permitting system run more efficiently during high-use periods. In addition, Game and Parks has added software to the system that puts online permit buyers in a purchasing queue for processing during high-use periods to maintain traffic load. Permits with unlimited quotas will be available first, …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Learn about the 29 snake species and 14 amphibian species that call Nebraska home at Reptiles & Amphibians on Tap events in Lincoln and Beatrice. They are scheduled June 12 at Lincoln’s Rock ’n’ Joe Coffee Bar, 5025 Lindberg St., and June 18 at Beatrice’s Tall Tree Tastings, 122 N. 5th St. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators will host the in-person, festival-style event at Rock ’n’ Joe Coffee Bar from 9-11 a.m., with live reptile and …

LINCOLN, Neb. — From fish to snakes to pollinators, those curious about nature will have plenty of opportunities to be engaged by Nebraska Game and parks Commission educators this June. Here are a few opportunities: Get trained to survey for rare butterflies LINCOLN, Neb. — Learn to survey for rare butterflies in Nebraska during a June 5 training session offered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Game and Parks and community scientists will conduct surveys for monarch butterflies and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy music, barbeque, history and trick shooting at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area’s 100-year Extravaganza on June 5. The daylong event is part of Nebraska’s state parks centennial celebration. Activities will be located on the north side of the reservoir at Hannibal Hollow and Center Dam. Food and craft vendors will set up near the main park entrance at Center Dam camping area. All the events and activities are free. Camping at North 40 and Center Dam …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With the holiday weekend coming, campers are reminded they will need a reservation to stay overnight at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas. Campers should book their reservation at the two state recreation areas before leaving home. Reservations can be made online at NebraskaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com, via mobile app RA Camping, or by phone at 308-284-8800 during business hours. Designated campground sites can be reserved 180 days prior to arrival date, and beach camping sites can be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently received $200,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project: New Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation. This is the third and final year of the grant project, totaling $570,000. These funds have been used to improve thousands of acres of habitat on private and public lands. Two notable efforts include removal of eastern red cedar trees in the Sandhills and prescribed burning with landowners throughout the state. Both …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans are becoming increasingly curious about fly-fishing. So much so, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, with the help of Cornhusker Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited, has expanded its Discover Fly-Fishing event schedule for 2021. The third year of the Discover Fly-Fishing program kicks off May 26 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake. It’s one of five events on the schedule, three more than previous years. Discover Fly-Fishing events are free and open to anyone interested in a basic …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting grant applications for 2021 to promote outdoor recreation facilities and amenities for political subdivision parks and outdoor recreation areas. The grants are funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service for outdoor recreation projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, ballfields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, pool renovations, splash pads, park acquisitions and development, and park related support facilities. …