NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – The peregrine falcon pair atop the Nebraska Capitol have apparently opted not to use the nest box placed on the 18th floor and instead have chosen a new site. The new nest site appears to be in a gutter at the base of the Capitol’s dome. One consequence of the falcons’ decision is that the nest and eggs are inaccessible and outside of the view of Falcon cam, which has provided streaming video of the nest box …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Anyone looking for a fun springtime outdoor activity will find it in fishing. April and May are a great time to fish for crappies. “Crappies tend to move into shallow water near the shore in the spring, making them easily accessible to all anglers, whether they are in boats or on the bank,” said Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Bauer said crappies start moving on warm afternoons shortly after …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Norfolk-area families are invited to engage in natural play outdoors at Family Nature Club. Family Nature Club is scheduled May 24, June 4, June 25, July 2, July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 20. It will be held from 6-8 p.m. at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Outdoor Classroom at the Northeast District Office in Norfolk, 2201 N. 13th St. At the Outdoor Classroom, participants can climb a tree, dig for bones, make a sandcastle, turn …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is invited to celebrate International Migratory Bird Month by participating in Willows and Wings on May 19 at Willow Creek State Recreation Area in Pierce County. This event includes a bird identification hike and an introduction to eBird, an online citizen science tool for monitoring bird populations. All ages and experience levels are welcome. No park entry permit is required as May 19 is Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska. Flights of birders …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Project WILD will have a free educator workshop April 30 in Norfolk to help teachers engage their students through birds. It will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Elkhorn Valley Museum, 515 Queen City Blvd. Participants will receive a Birds of Nebraska field guide and Flying WILD: An Educators Guide to Celebrating Birds. Through more than 40 activities, the Flying WILD guide helps non-formal and formal teachers introduce students to birds and show …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ag producers in Furnas, Red Willow and Hitchcock counties are eligible to receive $49.29 per acre assistance for planting multispecies cover crops after wheat or other summer-harvested crop. Grazing is allowed on up to 75 percent of the field but is not required. Cover crops provide a supplemental forage source, suppress weeds, improve moisture infiltration, boost soil organic matter, and provide habitat for wildlife. The application deadline is May 18. This Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s Cropland Cover …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in May. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. May 1 – Family Fishing Event, Terry’s Pit, Terrytown May 1 – Growing Up WILD educator workshop, Southeast Community College, Lincoln May 2 – Southeast District Birding Day, Indian Cave State Park (SP), Shubert May 2, 9, 16 – Becoming an …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska is May 19. Enjoy a Saturday of fishing or state park activities without the need to purchase a fishing or park entry permit for the day. Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, means anyone can explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park. Anglers must observe all fishing regulations. Camping, lodging …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A project scheduled to start in June on Pine Glen Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Brown County will improve stream habitat on Long Pine Creek for fish and anglers alike. As a continuation of the cool-water stream program, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will build several in-stream habitat features that create a variety of current breaks for resting and feeding trout. Specific habitat features also will narrow the stream to increase flow velocities and add pool …

LINCOLN, Neb. – More than 2,000 students are expected to compete in the 49th Annual Cornhusker Trapshoot May 3-5 on the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA) in Doniphan. Competition will take place in individual and team divisions. Junior high students (grades 6-8) will shoot 100 16-yard targets on May 3. High school competitors (grades 9-12) will shoot 75 16-yard targets on May 4, then 75 handicap targets on May 5. The high school shooter with the highest …