Catch these Game and Parks education events in September

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in September.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Little Saplings presents Clouds on Sept. 4

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 2024 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, continues Sept. 4 with the theme Clouds at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $4 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Curious Caterpillars program is Sept. 7

Quality time in nature has several benefits for young children. Come to Lincoln’s Mahoney Park on Sept. 7 for the Curious Caterpillars program.

This free, two-hour program, at 9 a.m. at Shelter No. 1 near the entrance, is designed for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. There will be a nature discovery area, live animals, a wildlife habitat station, and a nature crafts station.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register. For questions, email kara.kniep@nebraska.gov.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Sept. 10

Get ready to go birding by participating in the new Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.

On Sept. 10, the topic for this free, bird-related program for all ages will be Watching for Raptors.

Wise and Wild is Sept. 10 at James Family Conservatory

Wise and Wild is a program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s new James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Sept. 10, the topic for this free event will be Mushrooms – Tasty, Unique and Deadly? Prime mushroom foraging season in coming up. Learn how to tell the tasty treats from poisonous look-alikes.

Kayak cleanup scheduled at Conestoga SRA

Wildlife and people need clean and healthy spaces to live and enjoy. Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educators at Conestoga State Recreation Area from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 10 for a night of service to local waters – removing trash from lakes while kayaking.

Trash bags and gloves will be provided as leaders and volunteers clean up trash. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own kayaks, but a limited number of kayaks will be available on a first-come basis. Registration is required.

For more information, and to register, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Direct questions to Grace Gaard at grace.gaard@nebraska.gov.

Wildcat Hills preschool program is Sept. 10

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Sept. 10 with Beautiful Birds.

The program will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. It will include a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

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.

Schramm After Dark: Spider Night Hike

Come to Schramm Park State Recreation Area for a special Spider Night Hike.

From 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 12, a park naturalist will lead a spider science hike where flashlights will be used to search for sparkling webs and reflective eyes.

Hike participants should meet at the park shelter by the first pond.

Chadron State Park to host bioblitz

Join natural resource experts and community volunteers to discover the biodiversity of the Chadron State Park on Sept. 13-14.

The bioblitz is designed for participants to learn about plants and animals at the park, and then work to identify as many as possible during the event.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for the schedule.

Learn Dutch oven cooking at Louisville SRA

Discover Dutch oven cooking, from the care of the equipment to the range of recipes you can try, at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 at Louisville State Recreation Area.

All your Dutch oven questions will be answered before the cooking begins.

Group size is limited, so registration is required by emailing kelly.ekue@nebraska.gov, including names and number attending.

Homeschool Hikes set for Sept. 18-19 at Schramm

Homeschool families for ages 5 and up 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. Sept. 18 and 1 p.m. Sept. 19. This month’s theme is What’s Your Niche?

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.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program is Sept. 19

The Wildcat Hills homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. The theme Sept. 19 is Feathered Friends. Learn about bird adaptations and local research projects being conducted.

Certified staff lead various programs that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your students’ learning.

For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Enjoy Birds and Bagels at Wildcat Hills

Visit Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area for a morning observing, learning about, and celebrating the birds of western Nebraska and witness science in action at the Wildcat Hills Bird Banding Station.

From 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sept. 21, enjoy a light breakfast while observing and learning about the bird banding process and its importance to bird conservation efforts from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and Nebraska Games and Parks staff.

Contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777 for more information or requests for special accommodations.

Build toad abode at Creature Comforts workshop

Join Nebraska Game and Parks and Lincoln City Libraries for the Creature Comforts: Crafting Homes for Wild Neighbors family workshop series at 6 p.m. Sept. 26.

This engaging hands-on program is designed to connect families with the natural world around them.

In this free workshop, families will create a frog and toad abode to place in their backyard. Participants also will receive information on how to attract amphibians to their yard and learn to identify different species. The workshop will be at the Walt Branch Library in Lincoln, 6701 S. 14th St.

Space is limited, so registration is required. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to sign up. Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov with questions.