LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting grant applications for parks and other outdoor recreation facilities and amenities promoting outdoor recreation. The grants are funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program administered by the National Park Service for outdoor recreation projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, ball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, pool renovations, splash pads, park acquisitions and development, and park related support facilities. All projects …

LINCOLN – A health advisory at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County has been lifted. The health advisory was in effect for two weeks after high levels of toxic blue-green algae were detected by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Testing at the lake earlier this week revealed that algae levels had returned to normal. No health alerts are in place for any other lakes managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. For more information on results of this …

LINCOLN – A series of fun and educational activities for all ages is scheduled throughout July at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. Fun Days at Two Rivers are scheduled for July 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 and 30-31. Each fun day will include different family activities, including fishing clinics, nature hikes, naturalist programs, bird watching, and workshops on such things as constellations, pollinators, making leather goods, and tree identification. Specific details about all Fun Days events are available at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Or …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in July: July 1 – Final day to apply for Nebraska Super Tag and Combo lottery permits July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed statewide through Dec. 31 July 1 – Underwater spearfishing of game fish allowed in specific waters through Dec. 31 (see page 21 of 2016 Fishing Guide) July 1 – National Park Service Program on Missouri National …

LINCOLN – The public chose the name “Dinan” for the peregrine falcon chick raised in a nest box at the Nebraska Capitol this year. John J. Dinan was the former nongame bird program manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission who was instrumental in starting the peregrine falcon projects at the Nebraska Capitol and WoodmenLife Tower in Omaha. He passed away from cancer at age 51 in 2005, the first year a peregrine falcon fledged from the Capitol. Before …

LINCOLN – Throughout July, Niobrara State Park will hold a variety of family-friendly events for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Scheduled events are: • July 1, National Park Service (NPS) Presents “MNRR – a National Park:” Learn more about the Missouri National Recreational River, and visit with rangers about the events that led to the establishment of a section of the river as a park. • July 2, Buffalo Cookout: The evening will feature country music performed by John and …

LINCOLN – A health advisory remains in effect at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County after high levels of toxic blue-green algae were detected earlier this week. The elevated algae levels at Harlan County Reservoir were detected during testing by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. This is the second week a health alert has been in place at the reservoir. Visitors to Harlan County Reservoir should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. …

LINCOLN – Enjoy a fun and safe day of competitive shooting for the entire family at the Rimfire Steel Plate Fun Shoot at Platte River State Park (SP) on July 16. In this timed event, participants will shoot five strings of fire at five or six steel plates at distances of 20 feet to 30 yards. Shooters must be ages 10 and older. National Rifle Association safety officers will provide instruction and all equipment will be provided (.22 M&P Sporter …

LINCOLN – Reenactors will portray the days’ events from 1824 during living history weekend July 2-3 at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP). To celebrate Independence Day, the interpretive volunteers will reenact daily events at the fort as recorded in a newspaper from that era. Visitors can watch military troops in action, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence, watch trades like blacksmithing and butter churning, and explore the fort’s period-accurate places, such as the school, council house …

LINCOLN – A 21-year-old Virginia woman is hospitalized in stable condition following a June 22 boating accident at Bridgeport State Recreation Area (SRA). Hailie Knight, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was one of two occupants on a tube being pulled on the SRA’s center lake by a personal watercraft. The tube struck a tree, resulting in the victim’s severe injuries. The second occupant was treated for minor cuts and bruises. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this incident. …