LWCF, RTP grant awards approved by commissioners

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved grant award recommendations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program and the Recreational Trails Program at its meeting Jan. 23 in Lincoln.

Commissioners approved the following grant awards, totaling more than $2.6 million, for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program:

• Curtis, $600,000 to replace a swimming pool;
• La Vista, $340,410 for revitalization at two parks;
• Stamford, $96,666 for improvements at City Park;
• Beatrice, $256,665 for development of pickleball courts at Chautauqua Park;
• Neligh, $210,000 for development at two river parks;
• Auburn, $600,000 for swimming pool improvements and multi-sport courts revitalization at Auburn Legion Park; and
• Spalding, $542,255 for remodeling a swimming pool.

Funding from the LWCF comes from the U.S. Department of the Interior and federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.

Commissioners also approved the following recreational trail project recommendations for federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program:

• Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, $250,000 to build the Prairie Corridor Trail-Spring Creek Phase II, a 10-foot-wide, 8,000-foot-long crushed limestone pedestrian and bicycle trail, access road and trailhead parking lot. It will connect to an existing trail at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center;
• Norfolk, $239,000 to build the Winter Park Trail and Pedestrian Bridge, a 2,500-foot-long trail and 60-fooot-long bridge to connect Winter Park and Fourth Street Park;
• Fairbury, $250,000 to rehabilitate the Fairbury Trail Bridge, including replacement of top decking, timbers and rail ties, installation of handrails and repairs to concrete piers; and
• Nebraska State Snowmobile Association, $17,000 to fund educational programs for the 2026 International Snowmobile Congress, set for June 3-6 in Omaha.

Funding for the RTP comes from the Federal Highway Administration and is made possible by a portion of the federal motor fuel excise tax paid by users of off-road recreational vehicles.

Also, the commissioners approved staff recommendations to:

• adopt the 2026-2028 Focus on the Future Strategic Plan, which includes the strategic directions of conservation, recreation, our team, and the people we serve;
• increase to the Cash Change Funds to assist with park operations, activities and events;
• accept a permanent easement request from Dawson Public Power District for installation of an overhead power line at Cozad Wildlife Management Area in Dawson County; and
• accept a right-of-way easement request from Omaha Public Power District for construction that falls outside the easement established in March 2025 for overhead power lines at Louisville State Recreation Area in Cass County.

Wildlife staff gave a review of the division’s 2025 depredation program, which was contacted by 237 landowners for depredation or safety issues concerning deer, elk and other species. An annual Depredation Landowner Satisfaction Survey revealed that 94% of respondents believed program staff responded well to their immediate needs.

Another Wildlife Division report reviewed chronic wasting disease. It covered the history of the disease and results from surveillance in Nebraska during the November Firearm deer season.

The Communications Division gave a review of agency priority messages for 2026, which include updating its “Beneath Nebraska Skies” marketing campaign, branding and relevancy, caring for our resources, focus on storytelling, and special commemorations.

A presentation was given about the Nebraska conservation officers’ 125^th anniversary in 2026 and the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association conference they will host this summer to celebrate it.

Wildlife Education Specialist Monica Macoubrie was presented the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 2025 Educator/Communication Professional of the Year Award for her significant contributions to education in Nebraska. Among Macoubrie’s achievements, she:

• Got October designated as Nebraska's Reptile Month;
• Collaborated to get the Ornate Box Turtle designated as Nebraska's State Reptile;
• Spearheaded two cider collaborations with Glacial Till, raising awareness of local species and raising funds for conservation education;
• Coordinates Sensory Safari, an annual field day for people with visual and other sensory impairments; and
• Coordinates Nature Trivia Nights.

Macoubrie also gave a presentation on the five-year history of Nebraska Reptile Month, including reptile-related programs and publications that she has spearheaded.  

The commissioners elected their officers for 2026 as follows: Chairman, Donna Kush, Omaha; and Vice Chairman, Dan Hughes, Venango.