Eastern redcedar invasion is the single largest threat to native grasslands across the Midwest, including the biologically unique Sandhills of Nebraska. This hardy, fast-growing species has long been appreciated for its use as an effective shelterbelt or natural snowfence; wildlife management agencies, including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, have planted eastern redcedar to provide habitat and winter cover for wildlife. In retrospect, that wasn’t such a good idea. Eastern redcedar grows quickly and is extremely adaptable to a wide …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired, will provide students with disabilities a chance to engage in science exploration through sight, sound, touch, and smell at the annual Sensory Safari event. Sensory Safari, which will be held at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon, will engage students with special needs throughout …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to the 15th Annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo Sept. 21-22 at Ponca State Park are advised that high water along the Missouri will affect the locations of some activities. Due to recent high Missouri River levels, this year’s event will include two main venues – the Resource and Education Center and Shooter’s Village. The activities and demonstrations on the park’s riverfront will be moved to one of these two locations. All normal activities and demonstrations except …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, along with Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Plains Equipment Group, is thrilled to announce a new challenge for hunters beginning September 1. The Take ‘Em Hunting Challenge encourages hunters to take a pledge to introduce someone new to hunting during the 2019-2020 hunting seasons. Those who take someone new hunting can upload a photo of their hunting trip to the Commission’s website and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Waterfowl hunters are invited to attend a class on hypothermia safety on Aug. 4 at Niobrara State Park. The class covers basic facts of hypothermia, different scenarios hunters might encounter, and how to respond. Then participants will head to the park swimming pool to practice water safety in a controlled environment. Niobrara State Park superintendent Mark Rettig developed the class in response to the numerous hypothermia-related rescues of hunters he sees. “When the water’s cold, it doesn’t …

LINCOLN, Neb. – A health alert is in effect for Willow Creek Lake in Pierce County and the southeast beach at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County. The health alert was put in place after high levels of blue-green algae were detected at the lakes during testing by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. It is recommended that visitors to Willow Creek Lake and Harlan County Reservoir avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Several state recreation areas in the central portion of Nebraska have reopened to the public after closure due to flooding. Union Pacific, Johnson Lake and Gallagher Canyon state recreation areas are all fully open to public use. In addition, Medicine Creek SRA has reopened to public use, with the exception of four campsites in the Shady Bay Campground. Sandy Channel SRA is also partially open. The northern half of the park is open to day use only, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Fort Atkinson State Historical Park will celebrate its bicentennial with a special living history event Aug. 3-4. The event, which will emphasize the relationship between Native Americans and Fort Atkinson’s military, includes special speakers and a traveling Smithsonian exhibit. The exhibit, “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation’s Armed Forces,” tells the story of the American Indian and Alaska Native men and women who served in the United States military. Native peoples have participated in every major …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in August. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Aug. 1 – Squirrel hunting season opens Aug. 1 – Registration begins for Harvest Information Program Aug. 1 – Community Fishing Night, Windmill State Recreation Area Lake #2, Gibbon; Holmes Lake, Lincoln; Skyview Lake, Norfolk Aug. 2 – Community Fishing Night, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is assisting the United States Army Corps of Engineer’s Kansas City District Office to determine the feasibility of a project to enhance sport fish populations at Harlan County Reservoir. Although the water level is at a record high at Harlan right now, during summers with typical moisture, important fish habitats in some coves and bays become isolated from the main lake. The project would improve fish passage in and out of …