Catch these Game and Parks education events in January
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in January.
Activities take place at the Schramm Education Center south of Gretna, the Wildcat Hills Nature Center south of Gering and virtually.
A park entry permit is required at Wildcat Hills and other state parks but not for the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Buy a permit at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Little Saplings at Schramm
Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at the Schramm Education Center.
The 2026 series, which occurs on the first Wednesday of the month, begins Jan. 7 at 9 and 10 a.m. The topic will be hibernation. The program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.
Discover ‘Science of’ owls
Explore the hidden lives of Nebraska’s owls, investigating their biology, behavior and unique adaptations in Nebraska as Nebraska Game and Parks’ popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.
On Jan. 15, learn how owls hunt so silently, what they eat, where they live, and the important roles they play in local ecosystems.
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 event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.
Wildcat Hills preschool program
The free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program is on Jan. 20, with the theme of animal tracks and snowy survival.
The program will meet at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center at 10 a.m. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.
For more information, contact the Nature Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Homeschool Hikes at Schramm
Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Jan. 21 and 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Schramm Education Center. This month's theme is eagles.
During the program, participants may ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. They will have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.
Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families and ages 5 and up.
Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Wildcat Hills homeschool program
Investigate the clues animals leave behind and how they stay active in the cold during the homeschool program Jan. 22.
The free program meets once a month at 10 a.m. at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs each month that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations and habitats found only in western Nebraska.
For more information contact the Nature Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Fly-Tying for Beginners at Schramm
Watch the Cornhusker Fly-Fishers tie flies at the Schramm Education Center classroom from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 24 and learn to tie your own.
Fly tying is the art of attaching various materials, such as feathers, thread, metal, beads to a hook, with the goal of imitating an insect or other small pretty items of fish. The fly is cast with a rod and is meant to mimic the activity of the prey. Admission to the center is not required.