Nothing brings out paddlers like unseasonably warm temperatures. Those enjoying Nebraska’s water bodies and water trails are urged to be cautious this spring. While air temperatures can warm quickly, water temperatures still can be dangerous. Nebraska Game and Parks has the following safety tips for spring kayakers: There’s safety in numbers, so paddle with a friend or friends. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return home. Watch the weather forecast; it can change quickly. …

Access to Martin Bay at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is temporarily closed effective March 31 for an asphalt road improvement project. Walleye spawn anglers should anticipate parking on the south end of the dam during the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed in late May prior to the Memorial Day holiday. The Martin Bay intersection at Highway 61 was closed the morning of March 31 so Martin Bay Recreation Road can get an asphalt overlay. …

It’s the time of year for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to survey Lake McConaughy anglers for information that assists in statewide fisheries management decisions. Two surveys will be conducted at the state recreation area starting April 1: A daytime survey will take place April through October with clerks approaching anglers at boat ramps and shoreline locations. A nighttime survey on walleye spawn will take place April to May, with survey stations set up at parking lots at the dam …

Learn the art of turkey calling during a workshop April 5 at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Novice to advanced turkey hunters both will benefit from the experience learning the many calls and calling techniques of wild turkey — while increasing their chances of success in the field. The workshop, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center located at 4703 N. 44th …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center still has openings for its five Lincoln-based summer camps that offer children the chance to explore the natural world and learn outdoor skills. The Go Explore camps are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with extended drop off and pick up hours available. The Go Explore: Counselor Training Camp is open to ages 14 and up, while the Survival, Hunting and Archery camps are open to ages 8-13. All camps …

April is a month of fun and games at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. Arbor Lodge Mansion will host the History of Games on April 2 and 9 in celebration of National Board Game Day, which is April 11. Various historic games will be set up throughout the mansion for guests to enjoy. Learn the history behind such games as Mansion of Happiness, Checkers, Dominos, Fox and Geese, Tic-Tac-Toe, Tiddlywinks, and many more. Also, the lodge will host an Easter …

With migration underway and spring on our doorstep, now is a great time to get outside, bring some binoculars and walk a trail to see wildlife. Nebraska has many opportunities thanks to our diverse habitats – everything from prairie to ponderosa pine, wetlands and more than 23,000 miles of rivers and streams. Nebraska’s state parks are an ideal place to see the wildlife they hold, with a vast number of trails located in natural settings. Here are some of the …

Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion on fisheries management during meetings March 14-16. Four meetings – one for each Game and Parks district – will occur over three days, with fisheries biologists presenting updates on regional projects and providing local fishing outlooks. The informal, interactive gatherings will provide a chance for questions, dialogue and feedback. Registration to attend a regional session is required at OutdoorNebraska.org/FishingEvents. Meetings are: March 14 — 7 p.m. CST, Southeast District …

Registration is open for the Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run, an annual race aimed at raising awareness and understanding of mental health that also acts as a fundraiser for Nebraska Game and Parks state park trails. The run is May 14, 2022, at Cody Park in North Platte. Participants may choose between a 2-mile or 5-mile distance and run it virtually. People may register at PlatteRiverFitness.com/PublicHealth or donate to the fundraiser at TVM.BetterWorld.org. This year, funds raised will help support the construction and upgrade …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Winners of the 2021 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest are featured in the March edition of the magazine now on newsstands. More than 3,000 entries were submitted, a record for the annual contest that began in 2015. This year’s Best of Show winner was “Sandhill Crane Preening on Platte River Bank” by Britton Bailey of Aurora, a photograph captured at Rowe Sanctuary in central Nebraska. First-, second- and third-place prizes also were awarded in four categories. First-place winners …