By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Moths are not just the dull-brown insects that swarm around your porch lights at night. They are much more interesting and can be quite beautiful. Moths also play important ecological roles as prey for many predators, such as bats and pollinators of night-blooming flowers. Some moths are even indicator species of a healthy environment.  July in Nebraska is a great time for observing these incredible insects, and you don’t have to go far. Viewing …

By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist While birds are celebrated during the month of May, it’s time to transition our focus to other incredible animals to watch in Nebraska. Let’s take a look at butterflies in June, and unlike birds, you don’t have to wake up early to enjoy these pretty insects. Brunch and then butterflies, anyone? You don’t have to go far or search very long to see butterflies. Just sit in your yard or local park, and you …

Story by Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Photos by Jesse Deuring The year was 1958. “Volare” dominated the Billboard Hot 100. NASA got its start, and the first Intel microchip was created. In Nebraska, the Blackstone Hotel made its own history. Primarily known for its invention of the famous Reuben sandwich, the Omaha landmark also bears a vibrant, storied past. Black and white photographs hanging in the renamed Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel pique interest, especially among hunters. “The photos kind of remind me of …

In March, we highlight the timber rattlesnake, a Tier I at-risk species in Nebraska.   By Olivia DaRugna, Watchable Wildlife Biologist Like Indian Jones, many people are terrified of snakes, but this fear is not much more than a defense mechanism. When you stop to think about snakes and their role in the ecosystem, these animals have evolved to possess unique traits that are actually quite ingenious. For example, the serpents’ cryptic coloration keeps them well disguised, and with no …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Aldo Leopold, John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt are names you might know. These men are considered the forefathers of conservation in American, and although what they accomplished has been important, the contributions of women in conservation often have been overlooked. To celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s peek into the past and see how women have shaped the wild places of North America. Rachel Carson Rachel Carson grew up in the rural river town of …

By Renae Blum, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Don’t let the cold stop you from getting outdoors and having fun this winter. Nebraska state parks offer plenty of space to enjoy a wide range of activities — from sledding and snowboarding to ice skating and wildlife watching. Here are a few ideas to keep you off the couch and having fun this winter. Sledding and snowboarding Racing down a hill on a sled or snowboard is an exciting way to …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist One of my favorite activities to do with students is to dissect owl pellets. Now, before you freak out about children looking through poop or puke, take a step back and know that it is neither. A pellet is a pellet, but what exactly is it? Owls are raptors, or birds of prey. Simply put, they hunt and eat the animals that they catch. These birds will eat a variety of prey, such as …

Story and photos by Renae Blum The tree sap begins to flow. It looks — and almost tastes — like water. But, after being boiled for an hour, it reduces into what Dan Hejl calls “liquid gold” — syrup he collects himself. It’s a tradition Hejl looks forward to every year. The Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, man collects sap from the same woods he hunts in, and gifts landowners with a jar of the highly prized black walnut syrup. Black walnut …

By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 4 hours and 30 minutes Ingredients: • 1 pound of venison stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but cold • Salt and freshly cracked pepper • 4 tbs. all-purpose flour, separated • 1 pound of baby bella mushrooms, quartered • Cooking oil • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 medium to large carrot, peeled and large diced • 2 anchovy filets packed in …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist For many hikers, spring or fall is the prime time to be out in nature. But the truth is, anytime is a good time to be outside — even in the winter! As the days get shorter and the weather gets more iffy, it’s easy to lose motivation to get outside. While hunkering down in front of a TV might seem like the more attractive thing to do, know that hiking in the winter …