LINCOLN, Neb. – Johnson Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) south of Lexington is hosting its Craft Fair on June 8. Approximately 30 vendors will be showing and selling their items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the main park entrance in the campground overflow area. Contact the SRA for more information at 308-785-2685 or ngpc.johnson.lake@nebraska.gov. A park entry permit is required.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Ponca State Park invites the public to explore the arthropods and archeology of that part of northeast Nebraska during Bugs and Bones Weekend, June 15-16. The annual event features hands-on activities for all ages, including fossil digs, educational hikes, crafts and hayrack rides. On June 15, a Dino Hunt Archery Shoot for ages 8 and older will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost is $1 for six arrows. Observe a retired paleontologist chip …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The new Water for Food exhibit is open at the Visitor and Water Interpretive Center at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA) near Ogallala. “Visitors to the new exhibit will understand how advances in science and technology, as well as legislative policy, have shaped dry-land and irrigated agriculture in an effort to find sustainability between feeding the world and conserving water for future generations,” said Colby Johnson, Lake McConaughy SRA superintendent. The Center, built in 1999, is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has initiated a voluntary firewood restriction, effective immediately, at all state parks and state recreation areas. This restriction is an effort to prevent the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer. The spread of the borer and other invasive pests can be prevented if park users acquire firewood within 50 miles of their park destination and burn all their wood, especially if brought from another state, rather than transporting to another …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A 50th anniversary celebration of Sherman Reservoir as a centerpiece for agriculture and tourism will be held June 7-9. Events will take place at Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area, as well as in Loup City and Ashton. Activities will include music, food and several fishing events. The celebration will begin with a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. June 7. Visit loupcity.com for more information.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Levels on water bodies fluctuate constantly. Nebraska boaters should be aware that rising and falling levels can create hazards. Many water bodies are flood-control structures where levels rise during heavy rains and wash potential hazards into new areas. Other bodies are used for irrigation and experience draw-downs during the summer, creating and exposing additional hazards. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers boaters the following tips: — Plan an upstream trip when navigating a river. If you …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A ribbon cutting for the new Cowboy Trail Bridge near Norfolk is set for June 1 at 10:30 a.m. The Cowboy Trail Bridge, formally known as Broken Bridge, spans 200 feet across the Elkhorn River and is designed to look similar to the historic trestle railroad bridge that was washed out during the 2010 flood. The event will be preceded by fun and educational activities along the trail beginning at TaHaZouka Park in Norfolk. Participants can begin …

LINCOLN, Neb. – All ages are welcome to participate in the Fourth Annual Scheels Sixty 3-D Archery Shoot at Ponca State Park on June 1-2. The event will be held from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. both days and features 60 challenging 3-D targets. Demonstrations of the newest bows and crossbows will also be available. The registration fee is $15 for adults. Youth age 14 and under are free. Lunch is included with registration and the first 100 registrants receive a T-shirt. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in June: June 1 – Run Wild 10k Run, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Ashland, 9 a.m., runwildne.org June 1 – Cowboy Trail Bridge Ribbon Cutting, Norfolk, 10:30 a.m. June 1 – Family Fishing Event, Yanney Park Lake, Kearney, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. June 1 – Fishing is Fun Water Expo, Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area (SRA), Ogallala, 308-284-8800 June 1 – …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners approved 2013 big game hunting regulations at their meeting May 24 in Chadron. The regulations represent a significant reduction of antlerless deer bonus tags in an effort to lower harvest. That reduction in permits reflects a white-tailed deer population that was depleted by a major outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in 2012. A summary of the 2013 big game changes: Deer — Remove 30,300 antlerless bonus tags from November Firearm …