Catch these Game and Parks education events in October

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 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: Nov. 3 – Fall Colors; Dec. 1 – Night Animals.

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

Count birds Oct. 10 at the Lincoln Saline Wetlands Nature Center

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon to observe birds at the Big Sit on Oct. 10 at the Lincoln Saline Wetlands Nature Center, 570-598 W. Industrial Lake Drive.

The Big Sit, which will run from 7 a.m.-1 p.m., will be a friendly challenge to see how many birds can be counted from one location. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join in the effort to try to count as many birds as possible from the “sit spot” at the nature center.

Participants are encouraged to wear a mask and to social distance.

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

Snacks and Facts virtual series to discuss reptiles

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about reptiles over your lunch hour. Snacks and Facts is a virtual learning series from 12:30-1:20 p.m. every Tuesday in October

Since October is Nebraska Reptile Month, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will discuss an array of topics about the state’s native reptile species.

The schedule and topics: Oct. 9 – Reptile teeth and foraging; Oct. 12 – Reptile defenses; Oct. 19 – Reptile communication; Oct. 26 – Reptile conservation.

Registration is required. Get the link by visiting the calendar event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.

Conservation Career Chat: Legacy biologist

LINCOLN, Neb. – Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Oct. 13 in its series of virtual Conservation Career Chats. Sarah Nevison will discuss her duties as a legacy biologist.

Nevison will talk about how she plays a role in the conservation of plants and animals across the state and how she got into her dream job working with wildlife. Her position helps coordinate the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, the state’s wildlife action plan, working with partners and landowners to improve wildlife habitat.

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.

Reptile Craft Night at Cosmic Eye Brewing is Oct. 13

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, in celebration of Nebraska Reptile Month, is co-hosting Reptile Craft Night at Cosmic Eye Brewing Company in Lincoln at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13.

The first 100 participants, with a purchase from Cosmic Eye, may paint a wooden snake, then enter them in the Reptile Month Art Contest.

Game and Parks will have a few live snakes on hand from which participants can gain inspiration for their work.

Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.

Nebraska Nature Nerd Night to discuss venomous snakes

LINCOLN, Neb. – Venom is one of nature’s most powerful weapons and is found across the animal world. Join Nebraska Nature Nerd Night at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 for a virtual chat with herpetologists Dennis Ferraro and Chris Visser about venomous snakes.

Learn how these snakes got their venom, how venom works, and how venom can be useful for humans in the field of medicine.

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.