NGPC News

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert is in effect for Rockford Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) in Gage County. During water testing earlier this week, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality detected elevated toxin levels produced by blue-green algal blooms in Rockford Lake. Visitors to Rockford Lake SRA should avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. Non-contact activities such as boating, fishing and camping are OK. Dog owners are urged to keep pets out …

CHADRON, Neb. – The public is invited to learn about and search for “Creatures of the Night” at Chadron State Park. On Saturday, July 21, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor education specialist Amanda Filipi will lead attendees on a journey to explore the park’s nocturnal animals, such as bats and owls. The group will meet at the lagoon shelter at 8:30 p.m. The activity is open to the public free of charge, but a park entry permit is required …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), introduced the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act on Tuesday, July 17. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, if passed, would invest in proactive, voluntary, incentive-based habitat conservation projects with private landowners by implementing Nebraska’s State Wildlife Action Plan, called the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. Habitat improvements would benefit rare species, as well as common species such as turkeys and deer, by enhancing grasslands, combating invasive …

GERING, Neb. – The public is invited to help uncover the biodiversity of the Wildcat Hills during the Wildcat Hills Bioblitz. The interactive event will be Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, based at the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Bioblitzes, such as this one, bring together natural resource experts, community volunteers and others to inventory all living species in a specific area during a certain period. The family-friendly event will kick off at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center with a …

CRAWFORD, Neb. – One of the two groups of re-enactors scheduled to demonstrate infantry and cavalry maneuvers and provide educational demonstrations at Fort Robinson State Park this week has been forced to cancel because of a family emergency. The activities will go on as scheduled Thursday, July 19, but there will be not demonstrations on Friday or Saturday, July 20-21. On Thursday, the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard of Fort Riley, Kansas, will demonstrate horse drills, use of jumps, sabers, …

CHADRON, Neb. – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officials have confirmed that a male mountain lion killed a domestic goat near Chadron in Dawes County. The goat’s owner contacted Game and Parks officials July 16 after finding the dead animal. That day, Game and Parks biologists examined the carcass and its surroundings. The condition of the carcass and presence of nearby mountain lion evidence suggested a high probability that one of the big cats was responsible. The landowner and Game …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Compete in a unique triathlon in which kayaking replaces swimming as one of the legs. Crofton’s Dam Race is scheduled for July 28 at Lewis and Clark Lake State Recreation Area. The event includes a 1-mile kayak paddle on Lewis and Clark Lake, 5K run through the park’s Weigand Campground, and a 12-mile bicycle ride into Crofton, where a barbeque and celebration will await competitors. Compete as individuals or teams. Participants must be at least 14 years …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The die-off of white bass May 26 at Lake Maloney was not the result of any infectious diseases, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The cause can be attributed to the fish being concentrated in a localized area of the lake, stress due to spawning and a brief period of poor water quality. Samples were collected and submitted to a fish health laboratory following the die-off. Results from tissue samples indicated several possible causes, but …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has certified three state fishing records in recent months. — Nicholas Batt of Elkhorn set a hook-and-line record April 12 when he caught a 3-pound, 1-ounce tiger trout on a night crawler while fishing the North Platte River below Lake Ogallala. “Tiger trout are a brown trout/brook trout hybrid. The growth potential for tiger trout is still much more than 3 pounds,” said Daryl Bauer, Game and Parks’ fisheries outreach program …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Openings are still available in the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program’s beginning kayak workshop July 21 at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area. The workshop is for women age 16 or older who want to learn the basics of kayaking. Kayak, paddle and life jacket will be provided. Topics will include skills, safety, entering and exiting a kayak, launching and docking, and equipment. The registration deadline has been extended to July 17. Participants can choose from morning and afternoon …