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Game and Parks to offer virtual ‘Birds and Books’ workshop Jan. 19

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators for preschool-aged children are invited to the virtual “Birds and Books” educator workshop Jan. 19, which focuses on using literature books to teach science concepts. This free, virtual workshop will be from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Participants will receive bird-related and science-focused lesson ideas, bird-related literature books, Birds of Nebraska Field Guide and two hours of approved in-service. Registration is required. See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.org for the registration link. Nebraska is home to …

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First Day Hikes chance to explore outdoors at your own pace

First Day Hikes graphic

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska’s annual First Day Hikes are a chance to explore trails, watch wildlife, snap photos and create a lifetime of memories. This year, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages families to take self-guided hikes between Jan. 1 and 3 at a Nebraska state park, state historical park, or state recreation area. Though parks usually offer guided tours, hot chocolate and more, this year’s First Day Hikes have been adjusted to account for the current public health situation. …

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Challenge yourself: Find these six things in nature during winter break

Outdoor Winter Challenge graphic

LINCOLN, Neb. – Students across the state are invited to combat their cabin fever this coming winter break by searching for and photographing six nature finds during the 2020 Outdoor Winter Challenge. Each day, students will be given a nature item to find and photograph, and should submit — with the help of their parents — via social media for a chance to win a prize. The daily themes are: Dec. 26: Take a photo of something natural that is …

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Saturday series offers chance to learn outdoor skills from home

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LINCOLN, Neb. — With a cup of coffee in hand and cozy slippers on one’s feet, outdoor enthusiasts can learn or improve their outdoors skills thanks to a new education series, the Snowy Saturday Series. The three-month virtual series, hosted by Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, will feature outdoor skills education opportunities at 9 a.m. via the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/BOWNebraska. Sessions will be: Dec. 12 — Winter birding: Uncover skills to be a successful bird watcher Dec. 19 — Improving your accuracy: …

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Lake McConaughy SRA boating access improvement to begin

An aerial photo shows the Martin Bay bayside boat ramp

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Martin Bay boat ramp at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area will temporarily close to public access Dec. 3. The closure comes just ahead of a one-year, $3 million capital improvement project for the Martin Bay and Cedar View areas of the reservoir, slated to begin the week of Dec. 7. The project at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission property will improve boating accessibility and create one of Nebraska’s first motorized water trail systems at the …

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Mahoney State Park restaurant closes

Pictured is the restaurant at Peter Kiewit Lodge at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Cass County. July 10, 2018. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

LINCOLN, Neb. — Caddy’s Parkside Grill at the Peter Kiewit Lodge is closing its doors after two years of providing food service to guests at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. “This situation is unfortunate and is precipitated in part by diminished demand for sit-in dining options in conjunction with the present and growing COVID pandemic trends,” said Jim Swenson, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Parks Division administrator. Game and Parks administration is evaluating options for future food services at the …

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Nebraskland photo contest to be featured in later edition

"Perseverance" photo contest entry of Bison in blowing snow by Eric Wellman

LINCOLN, Neb. – The 2020 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest, originally slated to run in the January 2021 edition of the outdoors magazine, is now expected to be featured in March. The decision to delay the print date was made after a recent change to Instagram’s hashtag search feature limited the number of viewable contest entries. The social media platform plans to restore hashtag searches, but has yet to set a date for the function to return. The contest deadline for …

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Fort Atkinson State Historical Park awarded Helmsley grant for revitalization projects

Fourth of July Living History weekend at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun.

LINCOLN, Neb. — A new grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust worth nearly $500,000 will assist Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in two revitalization projects. The two-pronged grant for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission property provides: $220,000 for the development of new, interactive museum exhibits at the Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center on the park grounds, and $272,500 for the replacement of logs in the barrack walls, an ongoing preservation project. The Fort Atkinson …

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Wetland resources get boost with grant to Nebraska Game and Parks

Bird in a wetland

LINCOLN, Neb. — With the help of a $280,000 matching grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, working with partners, will be able to modernize wetland conservation resources for educators and the public. The three-year project is expected to result in a new online collection of educational materials, including fifth-grade curriculum and activity book; Platte Basin Timelapse short films and multimedia stories; a public-consumption Guide to Nebraska Wetlands; and an online wetland ESRI StoryMap. …

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Eugene T. Mahoney art and craft show cancelled

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LINCOLN, Neb. – The River Valley Artisan and Craft Market, set for Nov. 7-8 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, has been cancelled. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution in response to the recent increase in coronavirus cases across Nebraska and to Phase 3 directed health measures put in place through Nov. 30 by the state. The popular market event, usually an opportunity for early holiday shopping from local artisans and craft makers, is expected to return …

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