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Education

Learn to Hunt

One young woman’s journey to becoming a hunter By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Harleigh Lisius wasn’t born into a hunting family, but she always knew she wanted to do it. The daughter of a fourth-generation farmer, the 23-year-old grew up among cattle, corn and beans near Juniata and spent countless hours playing in the shelterbelt on the farm, fishing her grandparents’ pond or camping. Every Thanksgiving, highly-anticipated visits from her aunt and uncle brought exciting tales of the couple’s lives as wildlife …

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Animal Myths – Separating Fact From Fiction

By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist Sometimes, our fascination with wildlife can lead to the perpetuation of myths and misconceptions. From fabled tales that have been passed down through the generations to more quirky beliefs that find their way into modern folklore, animal myths captivate our imagination and influence the way we perceive and interact with the creatures that share our planet. In this article, let’s peel back the layers of misinformation to reveal the captivating truths behind many remarkable …

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Knowing the Risks of Winter

Participating in outdoor activities during winter can be tons of fun, but stay safe in the cold. By Julie Geiser Frostbite Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues of your body become frozen. This condition tends to happen on extremities such as the fingers, toes, ears and nose. They may become pale, gray and blistered, and the skin will have a burning sensation or become numb. If frostbite occurs, head indoors and place the frostbitten parts of your body …

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New Year’s Resolutions for Nature

By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist It is a long-held tradition to take time around the New Year to reflect on what’s important, to acknowledge accomplishments and to imagine how we can live more closely aligned with our values in the next year. If the outdoors and conservation are important to you, here are a few ways to better connect with nature in 2024. Track the Changes As we see more changes in our climate, we also are witnessing changes …

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Ways to Give Back to the Outdoor Community in 2024

YouthFishingInstructor

The holiday season is upon us and the arrival of 2024 is just around the bend. The holiday period with the new year beckoning gives us a segue to pause and reset, recharge and re-focus our energies. In all sincerity, this season coupled with the new year allows us to curb our bad habits, improve ourselves, change our outlook on life to a positive one and see how we can make a difference. As avid outdoors-persons, this time of year …

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Frosty Wildlife Sanctuaries

The survival instincts of animals kick into high gear in the winter. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist As winter blankets the landscape with frost and snow, the survival instincts of wildlife kick into high gear. In this season of scarcity, the availability of quality habitats becomes crucial for the well-being and sustenance of various species. From birds and mammals to insects and aquatic life, each organism seeks refuge in habitats that provide warmth, food and protection from the elements. …

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Clash of the Bighorns

The bighorn sheep pre-rut provides an incredible show on Nebraska’s wildlife scene. By Justin Haag Nebraska’s Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and their amazing climbing capabilities are enjoyable to watch throughout the year, but there’s arguably no greater show than when they put their heavy headwear to use during fall. It’s the headwear, after all, that gives the species its name. With a spread that can reach almost 3 feet wide, the horns on a mature ram can weigh …

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Nebraska Nature in Color – A Reflection in Red

This December, look for the color red in nature. By Alie Mayes, Community Science Specialist This article is part of the Nebraska Nature in Color series. This limited series will run monthly December 2023- June 2024. When contemplating the colors of December in Nebraska, the hues that come to mind are the browns of a sleepy landscape and the blanket of white that, at times, covers this seemingly barren terrain. But soon after, the color red also comes to mind, …

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Wildlife Viewing in December

Watch for these signs of wildlife in winter. By Olivia DaRugna, Wildlife Diversity Biologist The cool, crisp air; the silent, still landscape; and fewer hours of daylight — winter offers a unique time to spend outdoors. While viewing wildlife can be difficult in winter, looking for signs of wildlife is not. Winter is a great time to look for clues – such as tracks, scat and old nests – and solve the mysteries of the animals that passed through the …

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Where Do Insects Go in Winter?

Explore the fascinating ways insects survive through Nebraska’s harsh winters. By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist For humans, winter means thick, fuzzy blankets, space heaters and hot chocolate to keep ourselves warm during the short, cold days. For many animals, winter is a time of change and adaptability, as temperatures dip and the amount of daylight gets shorter. For example, some animals migrate, some hibernate and others stay active throughout the season. Insects, however, have a few more creative strategies …

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