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Catch these Game and Parks education events in September

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled a month full of interesting and engaging events for educators and the curious in September. Here are a few opportunities:

Little Saplings early childhood series kicks off Sept. 1

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery program will have the first program, Buggy World, in its monthly series at Schramm Education Center at 9 a.m. Sept. 1.

The series, which is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver, will bring nature themes to life through stories, sensory activities, crafts and outdoor exploration. The series will be held on the first Wednesday each month.

The remaining programs in the series are: Oct. 6 – All About Owls; Nov. 3 – Fall Colors; Dec. 1 – Night Animals.

See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

Game and Parks to host ‘The Science of …’ virtual webinar series

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host a virtual webinar series “The Science of …” each Thursday in September.

Starting at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common findings in nature or animals. The schedule is: Sept. 2 – Amphibians; Sept. 9 – Prairie Plants; Sept. 16 – Spiders; Sept. 23 – Eggs; Sept. 30 – Migration.

The webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. Find the registration links in the calendar event entries at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.

The webinars will be recorded and posted to the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel. Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.

Schramm Sunday Speaker Series to highlight spiny orb-weaving spider

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Schramm Education Center presents the Schramm Sunday Speaker Series, a monthly program where experts deliver presentations on the natural and cultural history of Nebraska. At 2 p.m. Sept. 5, Dr. Tyler Corey, a biology instructor at Southeast Community College, will discuss the spiny orb-weaving spider.

The series, held one Sunday a month, is free and open to the public. It is designed to promote conversations that facilitate scientific literacy and encourage lifelong learning for all ages.

To learn more or reserve a seat, visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.

Nebraska Reptile Month K-12 Art Contest opens Sept. 6

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting the Nebraska Reptile Month K-12 Art Contest, in which young artists in those grades may submit their original artwork of a Nebraska native reptile.

They may submit their artwork at outdoornebraska.gov/reptileart from Sept. 6 through Oct. 18. Each student who submits a digital piece of artwork will receive reptile swag.

Winners from each grade level, selected by Game and Parks staff, will be showcased at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hardin Hall on National Reptile Awareness Day, Oct. 21.

October is Reptile Awareness Month in Nebraska. To learn more about Nebraska’s native reptile species, or for inspiration for artwork, visit outdoornebraska.org/reptiles. For more information, email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov.

Nature in Math educator workshop set for Sept. 7

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators can learn how to incorporate nature into their math curriculum during a Nature in Math educator workshop at 6 p.m. Sept. 7 at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, south of Denton.

This workshop is designed for informal and formal educators of grades K-4 in math and science. Participants who attend the full class will receive curriculum, literature books, and other resources. The workshop is limited to 20 participants.

Registration is required. See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the registration link or more information.

Homeschool Hikes is new program at Schramm Park SRA

LINCOLN, Neb. – Homeschool Hikes is a new monthly nature exploration program at Schramm Park State Recreation Area for homeschool families. The four-month series will be held on third Wednesdays beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 15.

An outdoor educator will lead a guided hike while hikers ask questions, draw, observe and make discoveries in nature.

Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information and to register.

Conservation Career Chat: Recreation planner

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Sept. 15 in its series of virtual Conservation Career Chats. Erin Johnson will discuss her duties as a recreation planner.

Johnson will talk about why the job is considered an internal service position and how she assists with park plans such as master and redevelopment plans. Her position also is responsible for the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The series is held via Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. Central time as a different Game and Parks career is highlighted. Each interview will be recorded and uploaded to the Nebraska Game and Parks Education YouTube Channel.

See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the registration link as well as a schedule of future Conservation Career Chats.

For more information, contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov or check out the Nebraska Wildlife Education Facebook Page.

Nebraska Nature Nerd Night to discuss wildlife trafficking

LINCOLN, Neb. – Wildlife trafficking and crime occur in more places than people think, including in Nebraska. Join nature nerds in a virtual chat about the issue with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers at 7 p.m. Sept. 21.

Hear real stories from the field and learn about the officers’ role in helping to protect natural resources and prevent wildlife crime.

The event is part of the monthly Nebraska Nature Nerd Night virtual series for curious adults. These webinars, on the third Tuesday of each month, explore the secrets and science of nature through storytelling and conversation.

Registration is required. See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the registration link or more information. Questions for the guest may be submitted during registration.

Fall Fungi Foraging educator workshop is Sept. 25 at Indian Cave

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a Fall Fungi Foraging educator workshop at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at Indian Cave State Park.

Northern Prairies Land Trust biologist Chance Brueggemann will discuss what makes an organism true fungi, what purposes fungi serve, the diversity found in Nebraska, and some tips for identifying fungi. Participants will take a guided hike to look for the many colors of fall fungi. Those who complete the workshop will receive fungi information and resources.

Registration is required. See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the registration link or more information. This class will be limited to 20 participants.

About Jerry Kane

Jerry Kane is the news manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He can be contacted at jerry.kane@nebraska.gov or 402-471-5008.

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