By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska Were it not for Francis Burt’s digestive problems, Bellevue might be Nebraska’s big city and Omaha its suburb. Francis Burt was Nebraska Territory’s first governor, appointed by President Franklin Pierce. (U.S. territories elected legislatures but not governors.) Burt arrived in Bellevue on Oct. 7, 1854. Why Bellevue? Towns were springing up all along the west bank of the Missouri River, but Bellevue was more established, having served as a trading post and Indian mission …

She Goes Outdoors Podcast · Found her Glass Slipper Xa’Nel Cribbs was a bartender living the big city life. In a short amount of time, she discovered her love for the outdoors, developed archery skills and successfully harvested her own deer. Hear how Xa’nel sees herself representing black females in the outdoor space. 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 …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Winter is normally a time for hibernation. Sleeping five to sometimes nine months out of the year, animals will lay coiled up and cozy in an underground burrow, a pile of leaves or, as humans do, under a heated blanket in our beds. The negative temperatures, face-stinging wind, and feet and feet of shoveled snow could make anyone want to hibernate all season long in their heated homes. However, winter is a fabulous time …

Larry Porter was a beloved former sports and outdoor writer for the Omaha World-Herald. He passed away March 2. In retirement, Porter pursued his interest in nature photography, and just before his passing, he contributed this story and photographs to Nebraskaland to publish on this site. We are saddened to learn about Porter’s passing, and we are sharing this story here now to honor his memory and legacy. — Nebraska Game and Parks Staff By Larry Porter People chuckle at …

Best of Show BEST OF SHOW – Sandhill Crane Preening on Platte River Bank Photo by Britton Bailey, Aurora @bfbinstailey With more than 3,000 entries submitted through Instagram, the 2021 Nebraskaland Magazine Photo Contest drew a record number of stunning images from Nebraska photographers in the categories of Wildlife, Flora, Scenic and Recreation. This year’s Best of Show winner, “Sandhill Crane Preening on Platte River Bank,” by Britton Bailey of Aurora, was shot at Rowe Sanctuary in central Nebraska. “To …

By Jamie Bachmann, Wildlife Educator This is the third and final installment of why I get my kids outdoors in the winter. Read Part 1 here: https://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2022/02/why-i-take-my-kids-outside-in-winter-part-1/ Read Part 2 here: https://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2022/02/why-i-take-my-kids-outside-in-winter-part-2/ Reason #4 – Learning Preparedness When I was little, I lost so many gloves and mittens. My mom would get frustrated trying to find replacements on our way out the door. And there were multiple Halloweens when I whined about having to put my coat over my awesome …

She Goes Outdoors Podcast · Schramm Education Center Schramm Education Center near Omaha is a state-of-the-art educational center that allows visitors to learn about aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through unique, interactive exhibits. Or, step outside for even more educational opportunities. You will want to visit Schramm after this episode! Learn more: outdoornebraska.gov/schrammeducationcenter/ 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 …

Estimating Migration Chronology of Ducks in Nebraska By Cynthia Anchor, waterfowl biologist The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York, developed the eBird platform to offer birders a way to store and organize birding media, species lists, counts for single birding events, and “life lists”— complete lists of every bird species seen by an individual — at county, state, national and global scales. Since the release of eBird in 2002, birders have contributed more than 60 million checklists containing …

By Jamie Bachmann, Wildlife Educator This post is a continuation of the list of reasons why I coax my children out of doors on cold winter days. Read Part 1 here: http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2022/02/why-i-take-my-kids-outside-in-winter-part-1/ Reason #2- Accepting Change and Learning to Adapt What is your favorite season?  While I don’t think I have a favorite season, I have been able to recognize that what I enjoy most about the seasons are the moments of change between them. I love the relief that …

By Jamie Bachmann, Wildlife Educator Wow — the last couple days have been beautiful during this prairie winter, and warmer temperatures are forecasted to hold out through the weekend. I’m sure many of us are grateful for a reprieve from frozen nose hairs, children crying from painful, cold, red fingers, and the time it takes preparing kids to get out the door. I left the house this morning with no gloves at all. No gloves!  I don’t even know where …