Catch these Game and Parks education events in August
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in August.
Don’t forget to purchase a Nebraska Vehicle Park Entry Permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
August offerings are:
Flock to Birds of a Feather at Mahoney
Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 10 a.m. Aug. 4 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
A different birding topic is introduced each Tuesday session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike. The theme for Aug. 4 is raptors.
Register at the calendar entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Explore Nature at Nightfall at Platte River SP
Platte River State Park will host Nature at Nightfall from 6-10:30 p.m. Aug. 7.
This evening celebration of nature is a chance to meet live animals, view the night sky, go on a night hike, observe bat netting science, discover moths, find pond critters and more.
See the calendar entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information and a schedule of activities.
Sips, Sounds and Wildlife Surrounds at Glacial Till
Come out for a family-friendly nature day with Nebraska Game and Parks and Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 9.
This free event welcomes all ages to enjoy hands-on nature activities and exhibits, including live animals, scents of nature, coloring stations, yard games, invasive species education, skulls and pelts, and a make-your-own track book — just to name a few. Activities are designed for families and adults.
There will be live music from 2-4 p.m. Drinks may be purchased inside the winery.
Email questions to monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov.
Kayak cleanup scheduled at Zorinsky Lake
Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educators and partners on Aug. 11 for a night of kayaking and cleaning up aquatic habitat at Omaha’s Zorinsky Lake while kayaking.
Meet at the Zorinsky Lake trailhead parking lot, just east of 168th Street on the north side of the lake at 6 p.m. Safety and basic instruction will be given at the start of the event. Trash bags and gloves will be provided for participants.
A limited number of loaner kayaks are available.
Registration is required and can be completed at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov, where more information is available.
Send any questions to grace.gaard@nebraska.gov.
Discover ‘Science of’ Soil
Soil may seem simple, but it’s full of life and plays a critical role in Nebraska’s ecosystems.
On Aug. 13, this virtual program explores what soil is made of, the organisms that call it home, and how it supports plants, wildlife and people. Learn about different soil types, how soil forms and why healthy soil is essential for sustaining landscapes.
In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.
The hourlong webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.
Fossil Discovery Workshop is Aug. 15
Join Nebraska Game and Parks and the University of Nebraska State Museum for an adult Fossil Discovery Workshop on Aug. 15.
From 9 a.m.-noon at the Snyderville Quarry near Weeping Water, participants will discover the fossils that tell the story of prehistoric Nebraska, from creatures that lived in ancient seas to mammals that roamed grasslands millions of years ago.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Each must register, which is required, individually. See the calendar entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for a registration link.
BOW going birding at Holmes Lake
The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program will host Birding and Brownies at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Holmes Lake in Lincoln.
Birding can be done just about anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. A pair of binoculars and an identification guide is all you need to get started.
This event, open to women ages 16 and up, will allow participants to learn birding skills, meet birder friends and spend relaxing time outdoors. Stay at the end for a sweet treat.
Registration is required and can be completed at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. The cost is $10.
James Family Conservatory to host Wise and Wild
Wise and Wild is a program for those aged 18 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 10 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
On Aug. 18, the topic for this free event will be Going Bullfrogging. Learn all about bullfrogs and their biology, then try catching some at the lake with a net or fishing pole.
A variety of nature-related topics will be shared in this free program for all ages.
Webinar to focus on grassland management
Cheryl Dunn will present the webinar Teaching Ecology and Applied Sciences Using the Grassland Biome at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 31.
Dunn, the Grassland Specialist and Herbarium Curator in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy, will give an overview of grassland ecology/management and introduce lesson plans and trunks with hands-on materials on ecosystems, soils, plants, carbon cycling, human impacts, global health, and grassland communities.
This webinar is part of the Master Naturalist Mondays webinar series. Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program that recruits, trains, manages, and provides resources for its members.
For more information, see the calendar entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov or email jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.