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.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Sept. 2

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 James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area.

On Sept. 2, the topic for the free, bird-related program for all ages will be raptors. Learn about the types of raptors in Nebraska and how to identify them.

Schramm hosts Little Saplings on Sept. 3

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 on the first Wednesday of the month, returns Sept. 3 with the theme monarch butterflies at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.

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

Discover ‘Science of’ freshwater predators

Explore the world of Nebraska’s freshwater predators and their role in maintaining balanced aquatic ecosystems. Learn about the adaptations that make species like northern pike, snapping turtles and river otters effective hunters in their habitats Sept. 4 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.

Kayak Cleanup at Walnut Creek Lake

Wildlife and people need clean and healthy spaces to live and enjoy. Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educators Sept. 4 at Papillion’s Walnut Creek Lake for a night of service – removing trash from the lake while kayaking.

Trash bags and gloves will be provided as leaders and volunteers clean up trash from 6-8 p.m.

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, including where to meet, and to register, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Bluebirding workshop in Lincoln Sept. 6

Learn how to help increase the population of bluebirds in your area by attending a free workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at Lincoln’s Turpin Outdoor Education Center.

Bluebirds Across Nebraska will host the workshop. Nest boxes and poles will be available for purchase for $15 per set. Buy two and receive a free Bluebirds Across Nebraska membership. Those who do not purchase nest boxes also will be able to sign up for memberships.

To register for the event, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Wildcat Tales preschool program is Sept. 9

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Sept. 9 with the theme birds of Nebraska.

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.

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

Wise and Wild is Sept. 9 at James Family Conservatory

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

On Sept. 9 the topic for this free event will be monarch butterfly tagging. September is a great month for observing butterflies. Learn the process of tagging monarchs around the pollinator garden.

Nebraska Nature Nerd Trivia Night: Invasive Species

Grab your fellow nature nerds and join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as it hosts Nebraska Nature Nerd Trivia Night: Invasive Species on Sept. 10 at Code Beer Company in Lincoln.

Get your teams of no more than five players and be ready to compete for prizes. Registration is not required. This event from 7-9 p.m. is for adults only and free to attend, but a purchase from the host site is encouraged.

For more information and or questions, email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov.

Go on Spider Night Hike at Schramm

Schramm Park State Recreation Area will host a Spider Night Hike on Sept. 11.

Bring your flashlight or headlamp and gather at 7:30 p.m. at the park shelter next to Pond A. Participants will search for sparkling webs and reflective eyes as they hunt for amazing arachnids on the Hackberry Trail.

Pond A is the first pond as you enter the park. Contact jennifer.ruyle@nebraska.gov or 402-332-3901 with questions about this free program.

Seeds and mushrooms are topics of Two Rivers programs

Learn all about seeds and mushrooms in two programs hosted at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in September.

Pinecone Pals – Discover the different ways seeds are distributed and explore their unique characteristics during the Pinecone Pals program on Sept. 13. Check out some seed samples and be creative as you craft with pinecones. Join us at the pavilion east of the caboose park anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.

‘M’ is for Mycelium – There are many types of mushrooms in Nebraska, and they can grow in the most interesting places. Learn about the different types in our state and search for some in the park during the ‘M’ is for Mycelium program Sept. 27. Meet at the pavilion east of the caboose park anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.

Mussel monitoring subject of webinar

The Master Naturalist Mondays virtual webinar series continues at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 15 with Mussel Monitoring.

Join presenter Jesse Bolli, a resource management specialist with Homestead National Historical Park, as he answers questions while introducing participants to the park’s mussels, explaining why they are important. 

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 Naturalist 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. Email any questions to jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

Homeschool Hikes set for Sept. 17-18 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. Sept. 17 and 1 p.m. Sept. 18. This month’s theme is raptors.

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.

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.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program to focus on birds

Learn about Nebraska’s amazing birds through stories and hands-on activities Sept. 18 during the Birds of Nebraska homeschool program at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.

The free program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs each month that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations and habitats found only in western Nebraska.

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

Explore Nature at Nightfall at Prairie Pines

Prairie Pines Nature Preserve will host Nature at Nightfall from 6-10:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

This evening celebration of nature is a chance to meet live reptiles and amphibians, view the night sky, go on a night hike, observe bat netting science, discover moths, enjoy owl presentations and more.

Parking is limited, so registrations are restricted to 230 guests.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register and get more information.

Mahoney SP to host Beginner Fishing Fair

Learn all about fish when you drop in at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sept. 30 for the Beginner Fishing Fair.

Stations will be set up for visitors to learn all about fishing and participate in fishing-related activities. All ages are welcome, and youth must be accompanied by an adult.

Participants will be able to get a youth fishing permit, learn about Nebraska fish species, make a fishing lure, practice casting with Backyard Bass, learn how to tie fishing knots, create fishy art, and much more.