NGPC News

LINCOLN – Anglers and other visitors to Duck Lake on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge will notice some improvements this summer. A handicap-accessible parking pad and walkway were completed earlier this year. The walkway leads to an accessible fishing dock that was put in place several years ago. The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service all contributed both time and funding to the project. “Nebraska Game and Parks and …

LINCOLN – Shooters of all ages and experience levels are invited to learn, have fun and try out their skills at Platte River State Park’s (SP) Steel Plate Challenge Fun Shoot on July 16. The event will include expert instruction for shooters and friendly competition. Participants will be timed as they take aim at steel plates set at distances of 20 feet to 30 yards. Families and those new to shooting are encouraged to participate. All equipment will be provided. …

LINCOLN – Daniel Nelson, of Denton, and Jason Stephens, of North Platte, were drawn as lottery winners of two Super Tag multispecies big game permits. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission drew the names July 8. Cameron Sonnenfeld, of Ravenna, and William Ryden, of Julesburg, Colorado, were drawn as winners of the Combo multispecies big game permits. The Super Tag and Combo permits are valid in 2016 and 2017. The Super Tag bag limit is one elk, one antelope, one …

This week’s installment of the summer speaker series at northwestern Nebraska’s two state parks has been postponed because of illness. The “Creatures of the Night” presentation at Chadron State Park, which was planned for the night of Friday, July 8, will be rescheduled for a date to be determined. The series will resume Friday, July 15, at Fort Robinson State Park with the same “Creatures of the Night” presentation by Amanda Filipi, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educator.

LINCOLN – As a precautionary measure, visitors to Fremont State Recreation Area (SRA) are advised to boil their cooking and drinking water for at least the next 24 hours. This recommendation is in place because the water system for the city of Fremont was without pressure for approximately 30 minutes. Fremont SRA is served by the city’s water system, therefore this recommendation should be followed by visitors to the SRA, too. Because the city’s water is chlorinated, it is unlikely …

LINCOLN – A full weekend of fun and educational activities for all ages is scheduled July 9-10 at Ponca State Park. On July 9, park visitors may participate in an introduction to shooting archery, shotguns and .22 rifles, learn about wildlife species found along the Missouri River, discover the difference between native and invasive species, and learn how to identify wildlife by tracks and scat. In addition, backwater kayaking and hayrack park tours are scheduled throughout the day. July 10’s …

LINCOLN – Nebraska deer, antelope and elk permits will be available for purchase on a first-come basis beginning at 1 p.m. Central time on July 11. Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining deer and antelope permits, and residents and eligible landowners will be able to purchase remaining elk permits. Permits may be purchased at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission permitting offices, at OutdoorNebraska.org, or via mailed application form. For more information on big game hunting …

LINCOLN – The snakes of Nebraska will be displayed and discussed at Dennis Ferraro’s workshop July 23-24 at the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium Outdoor Education Center. The free event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ferraro, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln educator, will display 29 species of snakes found in Nebraska and answer questions about the reptiles. Attending this workshop is a fun way to learn about snake identification, their habitat and their value to people. The Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, where visitors …

LINCOLN – Lake No. 20 at Fremont State Recreation Area (SRA) will remain open to the public while personal watercraft races take place there on July 9-10. The races are part of John C. Fremont Days festivities. The races will take place on a portion of the lake from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. All boating and park regulations will remain in effect. A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the SRA.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting grant applications for parks and other outdoor recreation facilities and amenities promoting outdoor recreation. The grants are funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program administered by the National Park Service for outdoor recreation projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, ball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, pool renovations, splash pads, park acquisitions and development, and park related support facilities. All projects …