By Nebraska Game and Parks
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in September. Here are some opportunities:
Wildcat Tales preschool program is Sept. 20
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Sept. 20.
Each program will include a lesson plan, story, and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years. The program Beautiful Birds will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. Each month will have a different program topic.
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.
Growing Up WILD Educator Workshop set for Sept. 6 in Hastings
A Growing Up WILD educator workshop, which provides an early foundation for developing positive attitudes and behaviors about nature and lifelong social and academic skills, is scheduled for Sept. 6 in Hastings.
This award-winning early childhood curriculum guide is for educators of children ages 3-7. The guide builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature by providing age appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. Each thematic lesson includes multiple activities which teach math, reading, letter recognition, science, social studies as well as social-emotional skills.
This free workshop is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hastings Museum, 1330 N. Burlington Ave. Space is limited. Register at the calendar event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Kayaking cleanup of Holmes Lakes is Sept. 13
Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educations for an evening of service while kayaking. Educators and participants will clean up trash from Lincoln’s Holmes Lakes while kayaking Sept. 13.
Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Meet at the north basin boat ramp parking lot. A limited number of kayaks, with instruction, will be available to participants ages 12 and up on a first-come basis.
This free event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Register is required and can be completed at the calendar event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Benson Park Family Nature Day scheduled for Sept. 17
Enjoy kayaking, fishing, nature activities, s’mores and food trucks Sept. 17 at Benson Park Family Nature Day in Omaha.
The event, hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Urban League of Nebraska’s Young Professional Group, Kappa League Alumni Group, Urban Financial Services Coalition, Omaha Black Community, North Omaha Neighborhood Association, Connect Black Omaha, North Omaha Community Partnership and I Be Black Girl, will be from 3-6 p.m. at Benson Park, 7028 Military Ave.
For more information, email [email protected].
Climate topic of Lunch and Learn virtual webinar Sept. 7
Join the Conservation Education Lunch and Learn Series on Sept. 7 for the virtual webinar Climate Services and Perceptions Across Nebraska. Enjoy this free event from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
The presenter will be Dr. Martha Schulski of the Nebraska State Climate Office and professor of applied climate science in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her work focuses on climate variability and change and understanding climate impacts. The Nebraska State Climate Office is an operational climate services center based in the School of Natural Resources.
Register and get more information at the calendar event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Little Saplings early childhood program presents Fun with Fish
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 series, which begins Sept. 7 with the theme Fun with Fish, is held on the first Wednesday of the month, through December, at 9 a.m.
This program, designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregiver, will bring nature themes to life through stories, sensory activities, crafts and outdoor exploration.
See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information.
Wildcat Hills to host Birds of a Feather homeschool program
Come along with the Birds of a Feather homeschool program on Sept. 15 and discover birds at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Learn all about their adaptations and local research projects being conducted.
This program will meet once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. It will be conducted rain or shine.
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.
Nature Nerd Night to feature Zoonotic Diseases
Just like humans, wildlife can feel under the weather, too. Tune in to Nebraska Nature Nerd Night on Sept. 20 and discover the kinds of diseases and illnesses common in animals.
In the Zoonotic Diseases virtual webinar, which begins at 7 p.m. Central time, experts will discuss how those diseases affect Nebraska wildlife populations and humans’ health.
Registration is required through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov. Participants may submit questions to be answered during the webinar while registering. For more information, contact [email protected] or follow the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission or Nebraska Wildlife Education on Facebook.
Those unable to attend can view the recorded webinar on the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel.
Homeschool Hike set for Sept. 21 at Schramm Park SRA
School is back and so are the Homeschool Hikes, starting Sept. 21 at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna.
Homeschool Hikes are a nature exploration program for homeschool families. They will take place on the third Wednesday of the month, through December, at 9 a.m. An outdoor educator leads a guided hike while participants ask questions, draw, observe and make discoveries in nature.
Visit the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for more information and to register.