Mar 14, 2025
Powder Horn Area boat ramp at Merritt closed due to damages
The ramp at the SRA will be closed until further notice due to damage incurred this past winter.
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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.
Flock to Birds of a Feather on April 1
Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s 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 April 1, the topic for this free program for all ages will be Spring Migration. Learn about migration patterns and discover when and where to find migrating birds as spring begins.
Little Saplings features rabbits April 2
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 the month, continues April 2 with the theme Rabbits 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.
Train to be a Master Naturalist
Spring Core 24 Training for the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program will take place in April at Valparaiso.
The workshop, from 5-9 p.m. April 4 and 11 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 5 and 12, allows participants to learn about Nebraska’s natural resources and achieve “Master Naturalist In-Training” status.
The Core 24 Training format provides 24 hours of foundational classroom content and field activities. Once the Core training is complete, you have until Dec. 31 of the following year to complete 36 hours of continuing education opportunities to earn your Certified Status.
The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult conservation and environmental education program that uses indoor presentations on flora, fauna, ecology and more, in combination with hands-on field experiences to teach volunteers.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register or find more information.
Virtual, in-person training offered for Big Butterfly Count
Anyone who loves butterflies and is interested in conservation and science is invited to join Nebraska’s Big Butterfly Count Virtual Training Workshop. The free training is at 6 p.m. Central Time April 8 and 10 via Zoom.
Attendance on both dates and one associated field day is required.
Nebraska’s Big Butterfly Count is a community science project designed to collect statewide data to better understand butterfly diversity across Nebraska. Volunteers are needed to conduct a survey at least once every other week from May 1 through Sept. 30.
These virtual trainees then may participate in the in-person field training at 1 p.m. April 19 in Norfolk at the Nebraska Game and Parks Northeast District Office. They will receive resources, walk through a mock survey and receive further direction on data collection and submission.
For more information, or to register, visit the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Wise and Wild is April 8 at James Family Conservatory
Wise and Wild is a free program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 2:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
On April 8, the topic will be Iris Varieties. Come along on an iris identification hike through the iris garden, talking about the varieties of this flower.
Wildcat Tales preschool program is April 8
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program April 8 with the theme Flower Power.
The program Flower Power 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.
For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Wildcat Hills to host Flower Power homeschool program
Explore the different parts of a flower, how they grow and their relationship to pollinators during the homeschool program Flower Power on April 10 at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
The free homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Topics change each month.
For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
‘Science of’ tree frogs scheduled in April
Discover the fascinating world of tree frogs April 10 as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.
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.
Learn science behind smell of weasels and skunks
Join Nebraska Game and Parks and Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center for a fun and informative evening in Denton for an adult-based workshop, Smelly Science: Weasels & Skunks Stink.
Participants may attend in person or view a Zoom presentation of the 6 p.m. event April 16.
This event will start with a half-hour look at the world of weasels and skunks, exploring their unique behaviors and famous stinks. The indoor session will be followed by a hike through the prairie, where participants will go hands-on with activities such as learning about The Eastern Spotted Skunk Community Science Project. The evening will wrap up with a trivia game.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register or find more information. Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov with any questions.
Homeschool Hikes set for April 16 at Schramm
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. April 16. This month’s theme is Spring Ephemeral Plants.
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.
Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy at Mahoney SP
The James Family Nature Center will be the meeting place April 18 for Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy, a chance to celebrate Arbor Day at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Go on a short tree hike to observe identifiable tree characteristics. Meet the park’s turtle ambassadors, Chip and Picasso, and explore where turtles fall into the various categories of classification. Through these activities, discover the importance of taxonomy and how scientists use it to classify and name plants and animals.
Choose from a 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. session, with each lasting 60-90 minutes.
Schramm Park SRA to host Sunrise Bird Hike
Get up early for a Sunrise Bird Hike on April 19 at Schramm Park State Recreation Area.
Listen and look for migrating songbirds and waterfowl on this guided, 7 a.m. hike through the forest. Bring binoculars or a limited number will be available to borrow. The hike will last approximately an hour and the terrain is a dirt/mulched path through the woodland hills.
Meet at the main trailhead across from the first pond.
Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy at Mahoney SP
The James Family Nature Center will be the meeting place April 18 for Trees, Turtles and Taxonomy, a chance to celebrate Arbor Day at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Go on a short tree hike to observe identifiable tree characteristics. Meet the park’s turtle ambassadors, Chip and Picasso, and explore where turtles fall into the various categories of classification. Through these activities, discover the importance of taxonomy and how scientists use it to classify and name plants and animals.
Choose from a 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. session, with each lasting 60-90 minutes.
Go on Snake Saunter at Schramm
Get ready to spend a morning searching for snakes. In the Snake Saunter class at the Schramm Education Center, participants will learn about the diversity of snakes found in eastern woodlands and tallgrass prairie habitats.
At 10 a.m. April 26, after an introduction to the local snakes in the Schramm Education Center Classroom, head outside to go herping, looking for snakes along the forest edge and prairie habitats, and document any snakes found using the iNaturalist app. Collected data will contribute to the Biodiversity in State Parks initiative, which aims to document the plant and animal species living in state parks.
The class is free. See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register.
