NGPC News

LINCOLN – On April 30, Nebraskans from across the state will make time to walk for 30 minutes at lunchtime. In doing so, they’ll take part in National Walk at Lunch Day, an annual event intended to encourage participants to engage in healthy lifestyle choices. Participants will also help raise money for the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation. For every organization that registers walkers for the annual event, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska will contribute $20 to the …

LINCOLN – Another spring and summer of family fishing fun is scheduled with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Family Fishing Events. Family Fishing Events provide opportunities for people of all ages who have never fished or have not fished in years to learn and enjoy the activity. Rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction, will be available for free. Look for the Family Fishing Trailer at each site. Appropriate fishing and park permits are required. All …

All the roots have been planted for a northwestern Nebraska reforestation program. Now, the project has been turned over to Mother Nature. About 1,400 members of the Boy Scouts of the Longs Peak Council and other volunteers planted 10,500 trees at Fort Robinson State Park on Saturday, the final chapter of an annual effort to reforest areas burned in a massive 1989 wildfire. The planting marked the 25th and final year for the event. The planters were greeted with seasonably …

LINCOLN – Have you ever touched a snake? Or seen a badger? Come to Wild Adventure Day on April 19 in Lincoln and have that opportunity. This free public event, sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, and Friends of Pioneers Park, will take place at Pioneers Park Nature Center, located at 3201 S. Coddington Ave., from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See more than 30 nature-related activities for youth and families. Among the activities will be live …

LINCOLN – The Great Park Pursuit (GPP) begins its seventh year of giving people an opportunity to win prizes while enjoying parks across Nebraska. The goal of GPP, a partnership between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association, is to promote active lifestyles while increasing awareness of the state’s nature-rich outdoor recreation opportunities. This is done by encouraging participants to visit up to 20 GPP sites located across Nebraska between May 1 and Sept. …

LINCOLN – The certification of youth fishing instructors scheduled for April 5 in North Platte has been cancelled because of low registration. Those in the North Platte area may attend a workshop in Kearney on May 10 from 9 a.m.-noon at Yanney Park’s Mitzi’s Pavilion, 2005 1st Ave. To reserve a spot in this workshop, contact Lindsey Chizinski by May 5 at 402-332-4204 or lindsey.chizinski@nebraska.gov. Youth fishing instructors will receive training and tools to conduct fishing clinics. These volunteers will …

LINCOLN – State park areas temporarily closed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission last fall will reopen April 18 – two weeks earlier than previously planned. The parks will reopen early because work crews reassigned from the closed parks completed their assigned projects ahead of schedule. The purpose of the closures was to redirect Game and Parks staff and resources from the closed areas in an effort to reduce the more than $40 million of identified deferred maintenance needs …

LINCOLN – With turkey season in progress, hunters in the field should be aware of continued drought conditions that have resulted in many grass fires across the state. Care should be taken to avoid situations that could result in sparks or flames, which could lead to a wildfire. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has the following tips: — Cigarettes, matches or any smoking material should never be thrown from vehicles onto road shoulders or into grassland. Make sure these …

LINCOLN – Three new multispecies big game hunting permits are authorized for 2014, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Each of the three permit recipients will be drawn in a lottery. Those new permits are: — One Super Tag permit for residents or nonresidents. This permit is valid for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys. — One Combo permit for residents only. This permit is valid …

LINCOLN – Beginning April 1, the outdoor archery range at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Education Center will no longer be accessible from the private drive through Lincoln Trap and Skeet off of 48th Street. After April 1, the range will be accessible only from the entrance to the Outdoor Education Center at 44th and Superior streets. The range will remain open after April 1, and hours will remain the same, as well. The outdoor archery range is …