NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – A waterless boat cleaning station recently was installed at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area’s Weigand Marina. Lewis and Clark Lake is infested with zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species. This new equipment, called a CD3 cleaning station, allows boaters to clean, drain and dry their crafts upon leaving the lake to prevent the spread of invasives to other water bodies. The CD3 unit is located in the same parking lot as the fish cleaning station, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – No boat ramps are usable in Nebraska along the Missouri River from Interstate 80 to the Kansas border. The river is running high and flood warnings remain in effect for portions of the Missouri from Burt County to the southern border. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission crews recently assessed most of the river boat access. Their findings: From Fort Randall Dam (South Dakota) to Lewis and Clark Lake, Sunshine Bottoms, Verdel Landing WMA, Running Water, and Santee …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With the assistance of a trusted partner, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin treating ash trees at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park this month to minimize potential damage of the emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB was detected at Lakeside Campground in June 2018, with no further sightings at Mahoney or other state parks since then. To slow potential spread of the pest, Commission staff will begin treating trees with an approved pesticide. The pesticide has …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will receive $34,940 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Trout in the Classroom project. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program that allows students to learn about aquatic resources within a framework of hatching and raising rainbow trout. Nebraska’s Trout in the Classroom program began in 2013 with three pilot schools and has expanded to 92 schools with the assistance of Trust funding. Schools set up a cool-water …

GRETNA, Neb. – The Schramm Education Center – a fully renovated and greatly expanded iteration of the former Aksarben Aquarium – will hold a grand opening celebration on May 18. Admission to the center will be free during the grand opening event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new education center at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna opened for daily use on May 1. Since then, hundreds of visitors have enjoyed the new …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Eligible landowners may apply for one 2019 Nebraska elk hunting permit during the May 20 – June 7 application period. To download an application form, regulations and hunting unit descriptions, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/huntingseasons. Big game hunters should be aware of a new process for awarding draw permits starting this year. Applicants for deer, antelope and elk draw permits who supply valid email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Applicants not providing valid email addresses will …

LINCOLN, Neb. – This Saturday will be a great day to go fishing or visit a state park area in Nebraska! May 18 is Free Fishing and Park Entry Day. Free Fishing and Park Entry Day is held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend. It means anyone can fish without a permit or visit a state park area without a park entry permit that day only. Even though fishing and park entry permits are not required, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reopened all or portions of several state park areas that were temporarily closed after sustaining damage during March’s historic flood. The flood damaged roads, campgrounds, electrical hookups, boat ramp and docks, buildings and other structures. Parks staff and volunteers worked quickly to clear debris, repair damaged infrastructure and ensure public safety. Even so, access to some areas and services may be limited in certain locations. The following park areas are …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Three upcoming events at Nebraska state historical parks will feature programs by a unique guest: Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle. Through song and stories, Miss V will relate a blend of historical events and early homesteading. As a performer, Miss V brings a unique personal perspective: she has lived in a cabin without electricity and running water for 14 years in Wyoming. “She can relate her own experience to that of the early homesteaders,” said Fort Kearny …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will receive $250,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the Grassland Enhancement Initiative project. This is the first year of award, with a potential for a second year funding totaling $250,000. The project is one of the 117 projects receiving $19,501,444 in grant awards from the Trust this year. Of these, 85 were new applications and 32 are carry-over projects. Game and Parks and Pheasants Forever will use Trust and matching …