Education

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at a workshop Oct. 23 in Lincoln. Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers and Game and Parks staff who host educational fishing events. The workshop will take place from 3-6 p.m. at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St. Workshop participants will receive training and tools to conduct youth fishing clinics. These volunteers will have access to Game and Parks’ …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Phenology is a word that you may not be familiar with, but I am pretty sure that you’ve experienced it. Think about what season it is. Spring? Summer? Fall? How do you know it is that season? Phenology, that’s how, which can be defined as the timing of events in the life cycles of plants and animals. For example, you know that winter is waning when you see robins begin building nests or when …

By Brian Peterson In Nebraska, male white-tailed and mule deer are most recognized by their elaborate, showy antlers. While we all have observed deer or pictures of deer with antlers, have you ever encountered a deer with fangs or tusks — canine teeth? If you have, this is extremely rare, possibly a 1 in 10,000 occurrence. Both whitetail and mule deer have two lower “incisiform” canines which look and function like incisors and are used for foraging and browsing vegetation, …

A variety of fun, educational events are scheduled throughout October in Nebraska’s Venture Parks. These events cover an array of interests for all age groups. Venture Parks, Nebraska’s four state parks and recreation areas along the Platte River – Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, Schramm Park State Recreation Area and Louisville State Recreation Area – are where unique experiences and enhanced camping opportunities have been created in response to demand. Park entry permits are required on …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist October is a fascinating month for many. The leaves are starting to show their autumn hues, the crisp fall air lets us finally wear sweaters, and the spooky, holiday season has us celebrating all month long. Now, there is one more reason to celebrate one of the best months of the year: Although National Reptile Awareness Day is Oct. 21, by a proclamation from Gov. Pete Ricketts, the entire month has been designated to …

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in October. Here are some opportunities: Little Saplings early childhood program presents Nature Sounds Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna. The series, which continues Oct. 5 with the theme Nature Sounds, is at 9 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month, through December. …

My Favorite Insect Gets Even Better Story and photos by Chris Helzer It’s hard to pick a favorite insect, but I have anyway. It’s the camouflaged looper, which is an inchworm that turns into the wavy-lined emerald moth. The moth is pretty enough and I’m sure is fascinating in its own right, but it’s the caterpillar I love. The camouflaged looper feeds on flowers of many kinds. What makes it incredible, though, is that it also selects pieces of the …

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Mountain lions, wolves, sharks and eagles, they have long been regarded as a few of the most stunning animals on Earth. As predators, they have inspired people by their strength, grace and ferocity, yet despite this fascination, predators have also been some of the most historically persecuted animals on the planet. They have been deemed villainous when they kill or injure livestock, threaten human safety, or cause economic damages. The motivation to remove predators …

Students across Nebraska are invited to celebrate National Reptile Awareness Day 2022 through an art competition hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Young artists in grades K-12 may submit their original artwork of a Nebraska native reptile by Oct. 17 at Outdoornebraska.org/reptileart. Each student that submits a digital piece of artwork will receive a Reptile-ology magazine. Winners from each grade level will be selected by Game and Parks staff and announced on National Reptile Awareness Day on Oct. 21. …

Ash Hollow State Historical Park will host its annual rendezvous Sept. 9-11. The rendezvous will allow park visitors to absorb themselves in pre-1840 history, unique culture and educate themselves of an era gone by. Rendezvous were historically held in the fall between fur traders and local Native American tribes and were a time to gather, share trade goods such as skins, furs, beads, food items, weapons, and knowledge. It was a time to relax, make money, and have some fun. …