Flora & Fauna

Are you gearing up and getting excited for the historic spectacle on Monday, Aug. 21st, when a total solar eclipse will race over Nebraska from the northwest to the southeast? Good! Thought so. Me, too! Here are some last-minute notes to assist you in safely and enjoyably experiencing The Great American Eclipse in The Cornhusker State. Plan ahead. Buy your state park permit ahead of time. Take additional supplies (water, food, insect repellent, sunblock, etc.). Carry park brochures and a road map. Fill your vehicle …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Participate in a citizen science opportunity by pairing with an expert to find and identify as many species as possible in a specific area. Come to Indian Cave State Park near Shubert for BioBlitz on Sept. 9-10. BioBlitz is an opportunity to contribute to a scientific census of Indian Cave’s wildlife and plant life and to learn about each of the species counted. This free event for all ages will include birds, reptiles and amphibians, plants and …

It will undoubtedly be among the most stunning sights you have ever witnessed. It has been labeled as one of the most awe-inspiring events in nature, and it’s coming! For the first time in 26 years, a total solar eclipse will occur in our great country, and we, in Nebraska, will play host to the world’s eclipse-chasers along with eleven other states on August 21st for about a minute or two around the lunch hour depending on local time. To find out exact times of the …

CHADRON, Neb. – Disease issues have once again struck bighorn sheep lambs in northwestern Nebraska’s Pine Ridge, but a comprehensive research project is on track to counter the maladies. Todd Nordeen, the Nebraska Game and Park Commission’s big game research and disease program manager, said all 21 lambs equipped with tracking collars in May and June have died – almost all to pneumonia. While pneumonia is the cause, Commission biologists want to know what pathogens are triggering the disease. They …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Big Game Conservation Association will host a Day at the Range on Aug. 19 at Platte River State Park. Come to the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex and visit with association members about their organization. Visitors will receive a token for a free shooting experience at the range. All ages are welcome. Activities include archery, pellet gun, rifle, tomahawk and slingshot. Youth must be at least 8 years old to shoot rifles. A park …

GERING, Neb. – Participants of the Wildcat Hills Bioblitz at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area near Gering observed 141 species of plants, animals and insects Friday night and Saturday morning, July 7-8. About 70 volunteers became “citizen scientists” in taking a survey of the area from 1 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Amber Schiltz of the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies said good fortune came to the event from the start as a wild six-lined racerunner, a small lizard species, …

Never in my outdoor life have I ever endured so much negativity, so much criticism, and taken so much flak for an action. It all was the result of a photo and video I shared recently on my personal social media accounts. Both were of a large, master angler-sized flathead catfish that I caught in an eastern Nebraska sandpit lake and then duly released back into it. Here are the photo and short video clip shot by my fishing partner, Rich Berggren of Waterloo, NE. Alright, I know what you’re thinking: “Nice fish, good job on the release,” …

CHADRON, Neb. – The public is invited to learn about and search for “Creatures of the Night” at Chadron State Park. On Saturday, July 8, 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 deck near the park’s office at 8:30 p.m. The activity is open to the public free of charge, but a park …

Update: This version changes the date of a Family Fishing Event in Broken Bow to July 21 and adds a Fishing is Fun Event at Victoria Springs SRA on July 22. LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in July. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. July 1 – Archery fishing of game fish is allowed …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Learn about and see some fascinating reptiles at the Snakes of Nebraska event July 22-23 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. The free event will run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at Riverview Lodge, with snakes on display and naturalist programs. University of Nebraska-Lincoln herpetologist Dennis Ferraro will give a presentation at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day. A park entry permit is required.