By Ronica Stromberg, National Research Traineeship Program Coordinator Miyauna Incarnato, doctoral researcher at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has discovered that studying monarch butterflies is not for the faint of heart. For one thing, eastern monarch butterflies are hard to track. The orange-and-black beauties breed four to five generations in a year, with successive generations migrating from Mexico to Canada and back again. Depending on where and when they are born, the butterflies live for different lengths of time. Only adults …

This February, we highlight the white-tailed jackrabbit, a Tier II at-risk species in Nebraska. Story by Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Jackrabbits are always a treat to see. Their awkwardly large ears and eyes and long hind legs give them a cartoonish appearance. Although “rabbit” is in their name, jackrabbits are actually hares, which are precocial, meaning they are born with fur, open eyes and are able to move soon after birth. The white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is similar in …

Beavers, master carpenters of the animal kingdom, build dams as protective shelters to raise young. Also known as ecosystem engineers, beaver dams beneficially alter the surrounding environment more than any other mammal. When beaver populations suffer, biodiversity does, too – but why? Human-built dams, called Beaver Dam Analogues, are made to mimic the function of a natural beaver dam. We discuss their purpose. She Goes Outdoors Podcast · Restoring Streams One Beaver Dam at a Time About She Goes Outdoors: …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist For animals, to simply live is only part of their battle. An organism also needs to succeed in attracting a suitable mate in the hopes of passing on their genes to the next generation. Animals, similarly to people, will use a wide range of strategies to get themselves out there in the mating market. These strategies are often referred to as courtship displays, which are often required before copulation, and therefore reproduction, can occur. …

By Jeff Kurrus Helping law enforcement eliminate poaching in Nebraska just got a little easier, thanks to a new program by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Law Enforcement division and continued support from Wildlife Crimestoppers. The program debuts in January and allows people to anonymously report those suspected of wildlife violations. “You submit online,” said Commission Law Enforcement Assistant Administrator Duane Arp. “Describe the situation and the location. Then answer if you want to be contacted by an officer. …

Peeing or pooping outdoors is a real concern for women. We are human, and when you got to go — you got to go! There’s no hiding the truth that the process is uncomfortable and can be messy. While we are on this barefaced topic, it seems fitting to also talk about the menstrual cycle. In light of these female dilemmas, longtime outdoor expert Christy Christiansen offers tips, tricks and devices that will help. As mentioned in the beginning of …

Winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of prey. By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Is there an animal more majestic than the bald eagle? A once-endangered bird due to insecticides, including DDT, and hunting, bald eagles have rebounded and are now flourishing across the country. They represent one of America’s greatest conservation success stories. In Nebraska, bald eagles can be observed year round, but arguably, winter offers the best opportunities for viewing these large birds of …

By Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager When my oldest child was in elementary school in the 1990s, I was invited to give a class presentation on wetlands. When I asked the students if Nebraska had any wetlands and whether any cool animals lived in them, I was shocked to hear them say, “No.” They knew more about the Everglades of Florida and the Amazon of South America than they did about wetlands in their own state. I wanted to fix …

At-risk Species Spotlight is a new, monthly blog post that will highlight one Nebraska animal that is at risk of extinction, with the goal of bringing awareness to the incredible diversity of wildlife we have in the state. See the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project to learn more about the conservation needs of these animals and the efforts to conserve them.    By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Owls are captivating and mysterious creatures of the night. Rarely seen but often …

Here’s to the New Year filled with outdoor experiences! Start off 2023 with small and achievable goals. Challenge yourself to come with goals for the same categories as we did. She Goes Outdoors Podcast · Here's To a New Year About She Goes Outdoors: Join a team of all-female hosts from Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa to learn a little, laugh a lot and get inspired to get outdoors! To learn more, visit https://www.sgooutdoors.com/ She Goes Outdoors is hosted by Julia …