LINCOLN – A family fishing event, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Walleye Association (NWA), is scheduled for July 26 at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area. This event, scheduled for 4-7 p.m. at Bead’s Landing, is free for all families. Park entry and fishing permits are required. Anyone can come and learn to fish, as loaner equipment and bait will be available. Staff from Game and Parks as well as the NWA will be on …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting grant applications for parks, pools and other outdoor recreation facilities. 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, baseball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, park acquisition and development, shelter houses and related support facilities. All projects must encourage outdoor recreation. Project sponsors must …

LINCOLN – A mountain lion was found unintentionally killed in a snare in Sioux County on June 22, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The trap was set by U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS Wildlife Services in an attempt to remove coyotes from a cattle pasture. The gender of the animal could not be determined with certainty due to decomposition in the warm weather. Tooth measurements and pelt coloration are consistent with a subadult or young adult female, …

LINCOLN – The celebration of Independence Day at an 1820s military post will be depicted at Living History Weekend at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park (SHP) on July 5-6. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, volunteer interpreters will celebrate in much the same way as the soldiers did 195 years ago. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, as well as firing of a cannon and shoulder arms. Several period trades will be demonstrated, …

LINCOLN – A recent incident at Harlan County Lake highlights the need for increased awareness and prevention of aquatic invasive species in Nebraska. A University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) technician doing field work at the lake on June 29 encountered a boat with attached zebra mussels. Before it was allowed to launch, the boat was detained, inspected, decontaminated and dried. It was determined that the mussels were dead and sufficient drying time had occurred to prevent introductions of mussels from this …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Omaha office is now open at its new, permanent location. The new office is at 8495 Frederick St., located about a quarter-mile north of Interstate 80. The Omaha office, with its central location, will continue to offer the same services as in the past. In late February, the office was temporarily located downtown at 1313 Farnam St.

LINCOLN – As part of a national effort to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to boating under the influence (BUI), the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s law enforcement division participated in Operation Dry Water June 27-29. During the statewide campaign, officers issued 49 citations and 71 warnings for various violations including, BUI, safety equipment and boating operation violations. Enforcement will continue throughout the summer. Alcohol use while boating is the leading factor in boater deaths. In Nebraska, …

LINCOLN – The indoor and outdoor archery ranges at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Education Center will be closed to the public July 18-20. The facility will host the Cornhusker State Games archery tournament on those days. Otherwise, the public may use the indoor facilities Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from noon-8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. The outdoor archery range otherwise is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. It …

LINCOLN – Explore the steep hills and valleys, sandstone outcrops and sandy soils of Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area and Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (SHP) during a native plant field trip July 12. Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission botanist Gerry Steinauer in a trip to Jefferson County sponsored by the Nebraska Native Plant Society. According to Steinauer, “This rough topography has saved from the plow several thousand acres of oak woodland and tallgrass prairie, including one of …

LINCOLN – Nebraskans can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining and drying their boats. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Invasive Species Program suggest boaters inspect, clean, drain and dry their craft and equipment before leaving a body of water. That could prevent the invasive hitchhikers from being transported to another body of water. Aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels cause economic and environmental damage by clinging to and clogging water …