Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in June. 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.
Here are some opportunities:
Ash Hollow SHP to host bioblitz June 1 — Come to Ash Hollow State Historical Park near Lewellen on June 1 for a bioblitz and help biologists and other volunteers find and identify as many species of plants and animals as possible.
All necessary materials will be provided. Be sure to dress according to the weather. Lunch will be provided, but participants should provide their own dinner. Camp chairs are recommended.
The bioblitz starts at 7 a.m. Mountain time with bird banding and continues with several sessions, ending with moth lighting and bat mist netting or acoustics at 9 p.m.
For more information, email meghan.manary@nebraska. gov. Visit the calendar event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for the full schedule.
Butterfly survey training at Sch ramm Park SRA — Become a community scientist and help conserve
Nebraska's rare, at-risk butterflies.
Training for the Monarch and Regal Fritillary Survey will be from 1 to 5 p.m. June 1 at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna.
The survey is a community science project where volunteers help biologists document monarch and regal fritillary butterflies in Nebraska.
Join the first hour to learn infor - mation about butterflies and other community science opportunities. Then, anyone interested in becoming a survey volunteer is invited to stay to learn how to participate.
For more information, see the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska. gov or contact Cody Dreier at cody.dreier@nebraska. gov or 402-471-1755.
Flock to Birds of a Feather on June 4 — 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.
On June 4, the topic for this free, bird-related program for all ages will be Habitats Birds Depend On. Learn where to look for birds based on the habitats they need and learn how ranges can be a clue for identification.
Wise and Wild is June 4 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 June 4, the topic for this free event will be Wildflower Identifica - tion. It's Wildflower Week in Nebras ka. Learn about their importance and how to identify some native species.
Little Saplings presents Ants on June 5 — 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 June 5 with the theme Ants 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.
Wildcat Hills SRA to host Wild- flower Week event — Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Nebraska Statewide Arboretum for a Wildflower Week plant talk and sunset guided hike June 7 at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area near Gering.
Meet at 6:30 p.m. Mountain time at the Nature Center for the plant talk with Steve Rolfsmeier, director of the High Plains Herbarium at Chadron State College. The 45-minute hike with Rolfsmeier, Game and Parks staff and NSA Horticulture Program Coordinator Bob Henrickson will follow.
Snacks and water will be provided; prepare to hike over uneven terrain. This free event is open to the public.
