Conservation

Going to blog about a blog today.  The current issue of Nebraskaland magazine has an article by Justin Haag, Nebraska’s Fishing State Park?  Simply put, follow the link! Justin’s article is an excellent run down of the fishing opportunities on and near Ft. Robinson.  There are a bunch, and if you are spending any time at Ft. Rob, your fishing gear better be with you!  With recent Aquatic Habitat projects completed and ongoing, the fishing at Ft. Rob is better …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Sen. Deb Fischer has signed onto a bipartisan wildlife conservation bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which will dedicate $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts to help at-risk wildlife species in Nebraska and nationwide. Approximately $17 million would go to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and be used to implement its wildlife action plan, a cooperation with organizations and landowners interested in financial and technical assistance to address conservation concerns and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Private …

It is October.  The end of the month is Halloween.  Folks like to celebrate all things spooky and scary for Halloween.  Isn’t that strange?  Why do we like a good fright now and then? Oh, it is the adrenaline rush, no doubt about it.  It makes us feel alive.  The unknown also heightens our senses, clears our head, makes us focus. I believe we have a connection and fascination with the rawness, even violence of the natural world.  Afterall, we …

Many of you have already seen the news release, but let me start with that: Rainbow trout stockings scheduled this fall LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and state park and recreation area lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Cutthroat and tiger trout stockings also are scheduled for a select number of water bodies. Stocking schedules can change on short …

On Turner Enterprises’ Spikebox Ranch “Blowouts are sort of like anchovies — you either love them or hate them,” wrote the late Nebraskaland writer Jon Farrar. Among the blowout lovers are “ranch children who for generations have slid down a blowout’s steep sandy slope [and] artifact hunters who currycomb them hoping to find an 11,000-year-old Clovis projectile point exposed by the wind.” Among the blowout haters are “Most ranchers [who] wage war on their blowouts. To some, they are seen …

A Retired Wildlife Ecologist Gives Back At first sight, a plains pocket mouse makes a lasting impression. There’s only one word for it: cute. It’s tiny and delicate-looking, with small ears and fur-lined cheek pouches. Retired wildlife ecologist Mike Schrad can identify one in seconds, as he does on this cool October morning, striding through a restored prairie near Wood River, Nebraska. He lifts one from a live trap baited with oatmeal and birdseed, and hands it me to warm …

Going to highlight another project in my blog today.  Aquatic Habitat maintenance work is coming at Wagon Train Reservoir south of Lincoln: Aquatic habitat and sediment maintenance project to begin at Wagon Train Reservoir LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will lower the water level at Wagon Train Reservoir 8 feet in preparation for the maintenance of the sediment basins later this fall. Visitors can expect the boat ramp and construction areas to be closed. The reservoir …

I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I would be “outta the office” for some time for my daughter’s wedding.  I also hinted that we were making a little trip for the wedding and that the fishing gear was definitely going along.  Time to give you a report. . . . That trip was to one of our favorite places, western Nebraska.  More specifically, we spent some time at Ft. Robinson.  The wedding went great, we had a great time …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled a month full of interesting and engaging events for educators and the curious in October. Here are a few opportunities: Little Saplings early childhood series presents All About Owls LINCOLN, Neb. – The Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery program will have the program, All About Owls, in its monthly series at Schramm Education Center at 9 a.m. Oct. 6. The series, which is designed for children ages 2-5 …

I have several water level-related updates to call attention to today.  The first one comes from one of our power and irrigation districts: Fall fishing at Keystone Diversion will not be available; NPPD plans maintenance work for the dam’s gates Columbus, Neb. – Fishing activities near the Keystone Diversion at Lake Ogallala will not be available this fall as maintenance work on the gates of the Keystone Diversion Dam will be undertaken by Nebraska Public PowerDistrict (NPPD).  Prep work for …