Parks

LINCOLN – Enjoy learning more about leather at a presentation by Tandy Leather at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA) on Aug. 20. Presenters will talk about the various uses for leather and help participants make a cowhide bookmark to take home. This family-friendly presentation will start at 6:30 p.m. at the picnic shelter between the concession stand and the Lakeside campground. Two Rivers SRA is located near Waterloo in Douglas County. Contact the park at 402-359-5165 for more information. …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect at Branched Oak and Pawnee lakes in Lancaster County. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lakes. Visitors to Branched Oak and Pawnee state recreation areas should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. The lakes will be tested weekly through the summer …

LINCOLN – Enjoy nature’s light display by watching a meteor shower Aug. 12 at Fremont State Recreation Area (SRA). Come to the beach on Lake 20 for a viewing party starting at 10 p.m. Bring a blanket or a beach towel, stretch out on the sand and enjoy the show. A meteor shower is a spike in the number of meteors that shoot across the night sky. Most meteor showers are spawned by comets. As a comet orbits the sun, …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a variety of hands-on workshops based on nature and outdoor sports at Ponca State Park Aug. 9-14. Introductory courses on archery, kayaking, tomahawks, slingshots and various types of firearms will be offered. Participants can also make crafts and learn more about fossils, bugs, wildflowers and different types of fish found in the Missouri River in nature-related workshops. A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Fees apply to some activities. For more information, call …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a weekend of fun, history and patriotism with the Spirit of the Plains living history weekend Aug. 27-28 at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. The park will come alive with reenactors portraying soldiers, blacksmiths, surgeons, carpenters, and more. See them perform their period duties and drills from the 1870s. The public is invited to bring old, worn American flags for a flag retirement ceremony Aug. 27. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 3-12. …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. During testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated levels of toxic blue-green algae at the lake. Visitors to Pawnee State Recreation Area should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. The lake will be tested weekly through the summer months, and the health advisory will …

LINCOLN – Enjoy family time and learning new skills at the Becoming an Outdoors-Family program on Aug. 12-14 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. Participants will learn basic outdoor skills in a fun, relaxed environment while working with expert instructors. Individual workshops will cover a variety of outdoor sports, such as fishing, camping, outdoor cooking and archery. “Our workshops are open to all types of families,” said Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Education Specialist Christy Christiansen. “Bring your grandchild, …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a fun and safe day of easy competitive shooting for the entire family at the Rimfire Steel Plate Fun Shoot at Platte River State Park (SP) on Aug. 13. In this timed event, participants will shoot five strings of fire at five or six steel plates at distances of 20 feet to 30 yards. Shooters must be ages 10 and older. National Rifle Association range safety officers will provide instruction and all equipment will be provided (.22 …

LINCOLN – Families and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy a series of educational workshops at Ponca State Park Aug. 3-7. During nature-related workshops, participants can make crafts and learn about topics such as wildlife identification, catfish and birds. Participants can also try activities such as kayaking and archery or learn about various types of firearms. Hayrack tours will be offered on Aug. 6. A park permit is required of each vehicle entering the park. Fees apply to some …

LINCOLN – Niobrara State Park will host a variety of fun and educational events for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages during August. Scheduled events are: • Aug. 6, Waterfowl Hunting/Cold-Water Hypothermia Safety Class: Bring your chest waders and hunting gear and practice water safety in the controlled environment of the park’s swimming pool. • Aug. 12, National Park Service Presents “Discover the Real Missouri:” Learn more about the Missouri National Recreational River. • Aug. 12-14, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Powwow: …