Catch these Game and Parks education events in February
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in February. Here are some opportunities:
Little Saplings program presents the Great Backyard Bird Count
Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.
The 2025 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of each month, begins 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Feb. 5 with a program about the Great Backyard Bird Count. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers and lasts one hour.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.
Webinar to cover oak woodland restoration and management
The Master Naturalist Mondays virtual webinar series continues at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 10 with a presentation about oak woodland restoration and management.
Presenter Hanna Barnes, a project biologist with the Northern Prairies Land Trust, will discuss what oak woodlands are, methods for their restoration, and the continuing management needed to retain this unique habitat.
Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program. The program recruits, trains, manages, and provides resources for our volunteer naturalist members. This free webinar series hosts a variety of presenters and subject matter. It allows Nebraska Master Naturalists to connect to its conservation motivations and inspirations and its naturalist community across the state.
For more information or to register, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Wildcat Hills preschool program is Feb. 11
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Feb. 11 with Outstanding Owls.
The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. It will include a story, hands-on activities and a themed lesson specifically targeted for children ages 2-6.
The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
‘Science of’ virtual webinar to cover salt flats
Nebraska Game and Parks’ popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns in February.
In this hourlong webinar, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals. In this session, set for 3 p.m. Feb. 13, educators will explore Nebraska’s salt flats, one of the state’s rarest and most remarkable ecosystems.
Register for free to learn how these ancient saline wetlands were formed, their ecological importance, and the unique species that thrive in this challenging environment.
To register, see the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.
Wildcat Hills to host Outstanding Owls homeschool program
Come and learn about Nebraska’s owls during the Wildcat Hills Homeschool Program Outstanding Owls on Feb. 13 at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
This program, led by certified staff, meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center.
The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required. For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Education event at Mahoney SP to focus on turtles
Learn more about turtles and taxonomy at a free event Feb. 17 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Hosted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center, this event allows participants to meet turtle ambassadors and learn about animal traits and adaptations. You also will learn about taxonomy, which is how scientists classify and name animals, and observe differences between species of Nebraska turtles.
The event is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required.
Homeschool Hikes set for Feb. 19-20 at Schramm Park SRA
Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Feb. 19 and 1 p.m. Feb. 20. This month’s theme is Relationships in Nature.
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.
Workshop teaches the art of winter wildlife tracking
Learn the art of tracking wildlife in the snow and ice Feb. 22 at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln.
In this Becoming an Outdoors-Woman class, you will gain the skills to identify animal tracks, scat and signs left behind by wildlife in the colder months, whether you’re an experienced tracker or just getting started. By the end of the class, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of animal behavior in winter and have the knowledge to track wildlife in your own backyard or local nature areas.
The program is 10 a.m. to noon. It is hosted in conjunction with the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, which offers interactive workshops for adult women with an interest in learning outdoor skills.
Pre-registration is required. To sign up, see the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.