LINCOLN – Tax season provides a unique opportunity for Nebraskans to contribute to wildlife and habitat conservation. Line 42 on the 2013 state income tax form (Form 1040N) allows individuals to donate all or a part of their tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund, ¬which focuses on saving Nebraska’s wildlife and wild places. “The check-off is one of the principal sources of state funding used to conserve more than 95 percent of fish and wildlife species that are considered …

LINCOLN – Road signs alone don’t cut it for attracting guests in today’s marketplace. If Nebraskans or tourists haven’t stopped at Interstate 80’s Exit 426 yet, they may plan to now thanks to VisitExit426.com. VisitExit426.com is a collaborative marketing effort that has created a new brand identity for the destination. The website contains information about each attraction, including things to do, amenities and a calendar of events. Eight partners came together to launch the project, with support and funding in …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on a bald eagle that was illegally shot recently near Verdigre in northeast Nebraska. The adult eagle was found dead approximately 1½ miles southwest of Verdigre. It was reported on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and on the following day it was confirmed to have been shot. The eagle’s body had not shown decomposition and there was fresh blood on the beak. Eagles are protected by the federal Bald and Golden …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will train apprentice firearm hunter education instructors Feb. 11 in North Platte. The workshop will be from 6-9 p.m. at Game and Parks’ southwest district office, 301 E. State Farm Road. Register by Feb. 10 by visiting HuntSafeNebraska.org and clicking on the “Become a Volunteer” link about halfway down the page. Or visit the link directly at: http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/hunting/programs/education/volunteer.asp Contact Mike Streeter at 402-471-6134 or mike.streeter@nebraska.gov for more information.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering $100,000 in marketing grants to promote outdoor recreation. The program is designed to support Game and Parks’ goals of increasing participation in outdoor recreation through collaboration with partners. The grants are for communities, groups, organizations, public-private partnerships, nongovernment agencies or political subdivisions looking for help in promoting outdoor recreation to spur tourism and economic development. While all projects, events and campaigns must promote outdoor recreation, preference is given to marketing …

LINCOLN – Individuals wanting to participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order have several changes they must be aware of when the Conservation Order opens Feb. 10 in Nebraska. A summary of the changes: — There are now only two hunting zones, the Rainwater Basin (formerly Zones 1 and 2) and the Prairie Zone (formerly Zone 3). — The Conservation Order closes April 1. — Hunting will be allowed seven days a week in the Rainwater Basin Zone during the …

LINCOLN – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in February: Feb. 1 – Bird banding workshop, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, Gretna, 9 a.m., 402-332-3901 Feb. 1 – Animal Run 5K run and 2-mile fun run/walk, Hickman, 10 a.m., voicenewsnebraska.com Feb. 1-2 – White-fronted goose hunting season Feb. 2 – Super Bowl Sunday Mini-Lodge Package, Ponca State Park (SP), Ponca, 402-755-2284 Feb. 2 – Super Shopping Bowl, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 402-944-2523 Feb. …

LINCOLN – Women are invited to learn self-defense skills at a Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop Feb. 15 in Lincoln. This beginner-level class is for ages 16 and up and is geared toward protection indoors and outdoors. This workshop will cover verbal, nonverbal and physical techniques for preventing assaults. Participants will gain knowledge through interactive training and situational examples. The workshop fee is $24. Space is limited. The registration deadline is Feb. 10. To download a registration form, visit NebraskaBOW.com, …

LINCOLN – The annual Nebraska State Habitat Meeting, hosted by Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Ramada Inn in Kearney. The meeting, which is open to the public, will include 27 presentations on wildlife, wildlife habitat and education. For more information or to register, visit NebraskaPF.com or call Pam Grossart at 308-850-8395.

LINCOLN – Anglers can start planning fishing vacations or researching their strategies for the year with the 2014 Fishing Forecast, a publication available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The publication contains fish sampling data, along with a forecast of where anglers may find large quantities and large sizes of certain fish in various waters across the state. Game and Parks biologists annually sample fish populations. Some of the largest bodies of waters are sampled every year, while other …