Flora & Fauna

A brief history of the monarch butterfly as a potential endangered species By Cody Dreier, Pollinator Ecologist Monarch butterflies are the “poster child” of pollinators, and rightfully so. They remind us of the importance of conserving pollinator habitats and creating new ones – even little plots in our own yards. Unfortunately, monarch populations have declined, and conserving them has been no easy task. Reasons for Decline The monarch’s decline is death by a thousand cuts. There is no one universal …

Double, double toil and trouble … It’s the Halloween season and a witch’s brew is not complete without a moist, edible fall mushroom or two, right? Just kidding. But, guess what? We have an array of fall fungi in Nebraska perfect for your dinner plate. The greatest variety of mushrooms is usually found from about mid September through mid November, depending on weather and conditions. I realize it has been dry in places around the state, but any welcome rains …

The red crossbill is one of three finch species in North America that has an unusual beak. By Delanie Bruce, Education Manager, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies & NGPC The red crossbill, Loxia curvistra, is a peculiar finch found among the spruces, firs, pines and hemlocks of coniferous woodlands. It is one of three finch species in North America that has an unusual, but spectacular beak. Per its name, the crossbill has a crossed bill. This specialized feature makes them …

Mustelids are a diverse group of animals that possess distinctive characteristics. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist When we think of stinky animals, our brains routinely conjure up images of a skunk spraying. However, you might be surprised to learn that skunks only make up a fraction of the “stinkers” in the animal kingdom. In Nebraska, we have an entire group of musty smellers known as mustelids, or Mustelidae. Mustelids are a group of animals that have long, tube-shaped bodies, …

The calendar indicates that it is not fall yet. The meteorological fall has begun though. And I believe that after Labor Day, the fall season starts. What do you think? For me, unquestionably, fall in Nebraska is one of the best times of the year to spend outdoors. Truth be known, it is my favorite season! The days are definitely getting shorter, the air is getting a bit crisper, the crop harvest will soon start, and before long the leaves …

The size, shape and abilities of eyes vary in the animal kingdom. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist “Eyes on the side hide, eyes on the front hunt.” The size, ability and position of the eyes of animals can vary widely depending on the species, environment and whether the animal is predator or prey. Some animals can move their eyes independently; some can see in ultraviolet light; and others can’t really see much at all. Throughout this article, we will …

By Olivia DaRugna Summer has come and gone, and with it disappears the familiar songs and breeding activity of birds. For many birds, the end of summer means fueling their bodies with caterpillars, bugs and berries for the journey south to wintering grounds. Several species have just started the gorging phase in September, while others have already taken flight, such as hummingbirds and curlews. Birders, too, need to prepare for the challenges that come with fall birding. In the fall, …

A celebration of the ways seeds transport themselves around the world and onto our pants and pets. Story and photos by Chris Helzer We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of a perfectly pleasant walk through a woodland, wetland or prairie and you glance down to find your pant legs covered with sticky seeds. “Well, dadgum,” you exclaim, “would you look at that incredible seed dispersal adaptation!” “Golly,” you continue, “those little hooked spines sure are effective at catching …

As the popular hunting seasons in Nebraska draw nearer, I thought you might like to read my perspectives about why I hunt.  I am a hunter. I write and speak about hunting. I take images and record videos of hunting. I interact with hunters. Hunting is a major part of both my personal and professional lives. With my occupation (as a longtime communications and marketing specialist at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission) and through my personal social media accounts, …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist One would never guess looking at Nebraska’s prairies: A hundred million years ago, it was once a vast sea inhabited by shark-like marine reptiles, and when the sea finally retreated, it left behind remnants of salt, and quite a bit of it. The saline wetlands that surround our capital city, Lincoln, is still as salty as today’s oceans. Nebraska is far from any coastline, more than 1,000 miles to be specific, yet it is …