NGPC News

One of northwestern Nebraska’s most popular annual trail rides will occur at Fort Robinson State Park this weekend, drawing riders and their horses from near and far. The annual Ride the Ridge will be Saturday, June 20, highlighting the beautiful scenery and terrain of the Pine Ridge near Crawford. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Soldier Creek Road, with the first ride of the day following at 9 o’clock. A second ride is offered at 1 p.m., each consisting of …

The Bowring Ranch State Historical Park near Merriman is inviting the public to step back in time this Father’s Day, June 21, by attending its annual Sod House Sunday event. Numerous activities will depict Sandhills ranch life of yesteryear, including praise music and worship from 10 a.m. to noon. Team penning will begin at 1 p.m., along with children’s activities and an open house for the Bowring ranch home and sod house. The visitor center will be open from 8 …

LINCOLN – A paving project will affect access to the west entrance of Lake Wanahoo in Saunders County beginning this month. Paving will begin on June 15 at the intersection of Highway 92 and County Road 17, which runs north-south and is located about half a mile to the west of the lake. During the portion of the project when the stretch of County Road 17 with lake access is being paved, a temporary road will be created so boaters, …

LINCOLN — Several state recreation areas in Southeast Nebraska have been affected by heavy rainfall and not all areas may be accessible, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. At Stagecoach State Recreation Area (SRA), roadway 5 is barricaded because of high water. Campgrounds are accessible, though if water levels continue to rise, some campgrounds will temporarily close. At Bluestem SRA, lakeside drives in both areas 5 and 3 are underwater. Higher ground primitive camping is still available, though …

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will lift the temporary boating ban at Bridgeport State Recreation Area (SRA) effective Friday, June 12. The ban was enacted on May 15, when the presence of a moose was confirmed in the Panhandle park. The moose was observed on the island in Bridgeport SRA’s Center Lake, as well as in the park and the surrounding vicinity, and she frequently swam back and forth between the island and the shore.  Center Lake …

LINCOLN — The future of fishing is bright at the newly opened Prairie Queen Prairie Queen Reservoir near LaVista, according to recent angler survey and fish sampling efforts.  Prairie Queen was recently constructed by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District with technical assistance provided by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It opened for public use in April 2015. During recent fish samplings, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists found a good population of bluegills that anglers can be expected …

LINCOLN – Develop outdoor skills this summer at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center. The center is offering summer day camps perfect for the budding outdoorsman or outdoorswoman in your life. Outdoor Adventure Day Camp June 29 through July 2 will allow youth age 6 to 15 to learn about plant and wildlife identification, outdoor cooking, archery, shooting sports and camping. Youth will also have the opportunity to make nature-based crafts and develop basic outdoor survival skills. Cost …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln offers basics skills training to women interested in learning about handguns during the new Ladies’ Day at the Range series. The series takes place the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St. in Lincoln. This series offers handgun instruction sponsored by the Lincoln Well Armed Woman chapter. Women will be able to learn about firearm models, practice safe gun …

LINCOLN – Park guests at Sandy Channel State Recreation Area in Buffalo County will notice several improvements, and more are on the way. Recent upgrades made by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission include 16 picnic tables, eight fire grills for the primitive campsites, two handicap-accessible toilets, kiosk for posting information, additional mowing and trimming, a Great Park Pursuit impression post, and a self-pay station for camping and park permit fees. Additional improvements are planned for Sandy Channel. The expansion …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has received a $500,000 for prairie restoration. The grant, awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State and Tribal Wildlife Grant program, will be used for restoration projects that benefit migratory birds, reptiles and invertebrates. “This is an exciting opportunity to work at a regional scale between two states,” said Kristal Stoner, Wildlife Diversity Program …