NGPC News

This is the third installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. Next week: Rods and reels. By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – To be incredibly obvious, one of the unique things about ice-fishing is, well, the ice. An angler stands on the ice, and the fish are literally below your feet. To get to those fish, you have to have some specialized gear to make a hole. I once watched three …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is hosting a new, virtual series designed for preschoolers. The free Nature Tails will be at 10 a.m. CST on Tuesdays, starting Jan. 12. Each week, Game and Parks outdoor educators from across the state will kick off nature-themed sessions by reading a children’s book tailored to the theme. Afterward, educators will lead a quick activity for children and their families. The themes are: Jan. 12 – Mammals Jan. 19 – …

This is the second installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. Next week: Making holes. By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — Staying warm and comfortable while on the ice will go a long way toward ensuring you have a fun outing ice-fishing. The conditions will determine exactly how you will want to dress, but, regardless, you should dress in layers. The reason? You’ll want to stay warm, and you’ll need to …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Two new community grants worth $270,000 combined will give Fort Atkinson State Historical Park’s visitor center revitalization project another needed boost. The two grants are from the Donald E. Nielsen Foundation for $250,000 and from the Lester A. Walker Fund of the Fremont Area Community Foundation for $20,000. The Neilsen Foundation’s donation will be used to renovate the park’s movie theater with an historic vibe. Once completed, the theater will be named after the family foundation. Established …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Amanda Peters refers to the outdoors as her “happy place.” The Lincoln woman is a cardiac intensive care unit nurse at Bryan Medical Center East, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has leaned on that happy place even more. That escape recently helped her earn her first whitetail deer. When she landed it at the end of rifle season in November, her father, Marv, submitted the memory to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s …

This is the first installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. Next week: Clothing. By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. — Catching fish through the ice can be a fun way to spend a winter day. Winter days are shorter, so any time spent outdoors is a bonus. But with ice-fishing, safety always should come first. It always starts with ice thickness. When is the ice thick enough to go out for …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Starting Jan. 1, Nebraskans will have four new colorful specialty license plates to choose from for their vehicles to show their conservation pride. The newly designed plates, which will be available at the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, celebrate Nebraska’s diverse wildlife and recreation opportunities. The three wildlife options include a Nebraska bighorn sheep, sandhill crane and ornate box turtle. The fourth option, championed by Bike/Walk Nebraska, includes a trail scene and the words “The Good Life …

LINCOLN, Neb. — In 2021, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is celebrating 100 years of inspiring outdoor adventures at our state park system, which began when Chadron State Park was established in 1921. Now, Nebraska’s 76 state, historical and recreation parks are top destinations for Nebraskans and visitors from around the world to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and abundant recreation opportunities. The centennial celebration, themed “Your Memories, Your Adventures, Your Parks,” honors the park system’s legacy while also …

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Hibernation. Protective fur, feathers or scales. Lichens. On the surface, these topics may all seem unrelated, but each is a part of a six-week virtual webinar series, “The Science Of”, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The series, taught by Game and Parks educators, starts Jan. 14 and will take place at 3 p.m. CST via Zoom. The series is designed to explore the science behind everyday things people see or hear about nature or …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Educators for preschool-aged children are invited to the virtual “Birds and Books” educator workshop Jan. 19, which focuses on using literature books to teach science concepts. This free, virtual workshop will be from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Participants will receive bird-related and science-focused lesson ideas, bird-related literature books, Birds of Nebraska Field Guide and two hours of approved in-service. Registration is required. See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.org for the registration link. Nebraska is home to …