NGPC News

HEMINGFORD, Neb. – Campers planning to visit Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area on May 1 and after will be able to reserve a site. Beginning this year, half of the reservoir’s 40 campsites, each of which are located near the shore with a fire ring and picnic table, are being added to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s reservation system. That consists of 13 basic sites with no electricity, six sites with 50-amp electricity and four sites with 20/30-amp …

LINCOLN, Neb. – As part of the upcoming Lincoln City Nature Challenge, Lancaster County families are encouraged to participate in the virtual City Nature Challenge Speaker Series in April. Participants can join local experts to learn more about the City Nature Challenge, how to use the free iNaturalist app to participate, and get excited about frogs, birds, spiders, fungus and more. To register for part or all of the Speaker Series, visit outdoornebraska.gov/citynaturechallenge. The schedule, including speakers and times in …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s state parks are vibrant and diverse. They can be venues of solitude or teeming with activity. After 100 years, they’ve been a little bit of everything to many people. Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed 2021 the year of Nebraska’s State Parks Centennial. It is a year that will see activity in the parks like no other, with events scheduled throughout 2021 across the state. Chadron State Park became Nebraska’s first state park in 1921. The state …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn how to connect students to Nebraska’s aquatic resources using educational, science-based activities by participating in the Aquatic WILD educator workshop April 20 at Schramm Education Center. This free, in-person workshop is intended for formal and informal educators of grades K-12. It will be held at the center, located at 21502 Neb. Hwy. 31, Gretna, from 6-8 p.m. Central time. Aquatic WILD is a high-quality, easy-to-use guide for educators working with grades K-12. The curriculum and activity …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska is home to more than 450 species of birds. They are easy to see and fun to watch, creating a fantastic opportunity to learn about science. A virtual Birds and Books educator workshop on April 20 will use literature books to teach science concepts to preschool aged children. Participants will receive bird-related and science-focused lesson ideas, and bird-related literature books. This free Nebraska Game and Parks Commission workshop, which begins at 6 p.m. Central time, is …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will certify youth fishing instructors at workshops in Lincoln and Kearney in the coming months. Instructors are part of the Youth Fishing Program, a statewide team of volunteers and Game and Parks staff who host educational fishing events. Trainings will take place in Lincoln at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, 4703 N. 44th St., on April 18 and May 16. Another will be May 2 in Kearney at …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Spring turkey hunters are eager to get back in the woods each year. They should not be so eager they overlook safety, though. “Hunting continues to be one of the safest recreational activities there is, but there are a few things to remember as you match wits with a smart tom turkey,” said Jackson Ellis, Nebraska Hunter Education coordinator. Ellis has the following safety reminders for turkey hunters: • Always keep the shotgun’s muzzle pointed in a …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A drawing this spring will provide 150 young Nebraskans a chance to purchase a youth lifetime permit at half price. In an effort to encourage young Nebraskans to participate in hunting and fishing, the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation established its Youth Lifetime Half-Price Permit Program in 2006. This program gives residents age 15 and younger the opportunity to purchase a lifetime hunt, fish and other permits and stamps for half price. Only residents 15 and under …

By Larry Pape Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – As anglers, we mean to be good stewards of our environment. Sometimes, though, we leave something behind. It could be a bait container lid that blew off or a small wad of fishing line in a snag. It all adds up, is a direct reflection on anglers, and is an environmental hazard. The problem with shoreline litter is twofold. Litter is just plain ugly and embarrassing. The view of …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Producers can play a key role in conservation by enrolling acres in the Nebraska Platte-Republican Resources Area Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency have partnered with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Natural Resources Districts, and Irrigation entities in the program. Up to 100,000 acres can be enrolled in portions of Banner, Buffalo, Chase, Cheyenne, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Gosper, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Kearney, …