NGPC News

Louisville State Recreation Area will reduce the days the Floating Playground is open to Saturday and Sunday only starting the week of Aug. 8, staff permitting. The Floating Playground sessions are at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and each session is 90 minutes. The park hopes to operate the Floating Playground on weekends through Labor Day. Guests planning to visit the Floating Playground are advised to first call ahead at 402-234-6855. All rules and policies will apply. Go to …

Platte River State Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary Aug. 13 with a daylong event for the entire family. There will be a bison stew cookout and Dutch oven desserts to sample, as well as food to purchase, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ball field. Live classic country and country swing music will be playing. The amphitheater will be site of presentations at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The first will be on Native American …

A mountain lion was confirmed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through video footage captured July 20 at the northwest edge of Lincoln. This mountain lion was recorded by a household security camera at about 4 a.m. in a backyard in the Air Park neighborhood. If the animal is observed by the public, or additional photos capture the animal, contact the Game and Parks office in Lincoln at OutdoorNebraska.org. Mountain lions found in southeastern Nebraska typically are dispersing young animals …

Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During August, a variety of events are planned for those interested in history, conservation, nature and just having a good time. Here are several examples: Merritt Reservoir SRA to host Spectacular Stars, Magnificent Moths Nocturnal Insects Uncover the fantastic world of nighttime insects at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, renowned for its dark skies, on Aug. 4. The program Spectacular Stars, Magnificent Moths Nocturnal Insects will introduce visitors to the process …

Flatwater Landing Wildlife Management Area, which sits along the Platte River in Platte County, is closed temporarily to vehicle access. Extremely low water prevents access to the boat ramp by watercraft. ATVs and UTVs also are not allowed on the WMA at this time. Water levels will be monitored, and the WMA will be reopened for vehicle access when water returns to a level that will accommodate access to the river by watercraft. Find other boat ramps by visiting the …

They’re almost here. The annual emergence of mayflies at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton means the insect soon will be plentiful near and around the lake as they swarm to lights from the marina, cabins, facilities and campers. Nebraska Game and Parks asks for patience during the aquatic insect’s short-lived emergence period, which typically occurs in July or August over a very short period of time — typically a few days or a week. Mayflies are aquatic …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in August. Here are some opportunities: Nature Nerd Night to feature Ecological Superheroes on Aug. 16 Keystone species are animals that play a major role in their environment’s web of life. Often their existence helps support dozens of other species. Nebraska examples include prairie dogs, bison and beavers. Join the virtual webinar Ecological Superheroes on Aug. 16 and learn more about how keystone species help …

Hunters may begin purchasing 2022 Nebraska fall turkey permits at 1 p.m. Central time Aug. 8. A fall turkey permit is valid statewide and allows a hunter to harvest two turkeys of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. Each hunter may have up to two permits. There is no minimum age requirement for youth hunters. The fall turkey season is Sept. 15, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023. Permits will be available at OutdoorNebraska.org and at Nebraska Game and …

This is an update to a news release sent July 13. Among the changes is a corrected date in the seventh paragraph. People interested in hunting deer at Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area this fall may apply for access permits Aug. 1-15. Two hundred of these permits will be issued to allow hunters access to the area. Applicants will need to purchase a valid deer permit and then provide their deer permit type and associated number on their application. The …

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory will be closed temporarily starting July 20 for the start of a yearlong construction project. The closure will accommodate the addition of the new Nature Center and Outdoor Education Classroom, a Venture Parks project. The tentative completion of the new project will be summer 2023. The addition will be the park’s new home base for outdoor education activities. “This new addition will help us expand our education programs for park guests and …