As zebra mussels creep closer, Game and Parks urgers boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry
While Nebraskans can expect to see many boaters on the lakes this Memorial Day weekend, they also can expect to find Nebraska Game and Parks staff inspecting boats for invasive zebra mussels.
Zebra mussels are a small, D-shaped clam with alternating light and dark bands across the shell. They can be as small as a pencil eraser. These non-native mussels can cause damage to Nebraska’s ecosystems and economy once established. They form dense colonies, filtering nutrients from the water that native species need to survive. The mussels also can pollute swimming beaches with their sharp shells and damage public and private infrastructure.
Zebra mussels primarily are spread by boaters and anglers by “hitchhiking” on and inside watercraft and angling equipment. Veligers, or zebra mussel larvae, are microscopic and can survive in a single drop of water for several days. Adult mussels can live out of water for up to a month.
To stop zebra mussels’ spread, it’s important to ensure boating and angling equipment have been cleaned inside and out, drained of standing water, and allowed to dry completely before entering another water body.
“The battle against zebra mussels is more important now than ever,” said Kristopher Stahr, Game and Parks’ aquatic invasive species program manager. “Nebraska is fortunate in that we currently don’t have widespread zebra mussel infestations across our state, but we are under increased threat from surrounding waters.”
In 2023, Beaver Lake, a private lake near Plattsmouth, became Nebraska’s fifth water body with an established zebra mussel population, joining Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake Yankton, the Missouri River, and Offutt Air Force Base Lake. Surrounding states, including South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas, have faced increasing zebra mussel spread in recent years.
Game and Parks staff will conduct boat inspections at boat ramps statewide this summer. Nearly 10,000 boat inspections have been completed in the past two years, protecting Nebraska’s waters from zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, white perch, and invasive carp.
Visit stopaquatichitchhikers.org for more details on the Clean, Drain, Dry Procedure and OutdoorNebraska.gov/
The public is encouraged to report any suspected observation of zebra mussels or other aquatic invasive species to Game and Parks at 402-471-7602 or at ngpc.ais@nebraska.gov.
Catch these Game and Parks education events in June
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 Schramm 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 1-5 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 information 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 Identification. It’s Wildflower Week in Nebraska. 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.
‘Science of’ virtual webinar series returns in June
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns in June.
Every Thursday at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators will 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.
The webinar schedule of topics: June 6 – Armadillos; June 13 – Tiger beetles; June 20 – Slime molds; June 27 – Milkweed.
The webinars will be recorded and posted to the Nebraska Game and Parks YouTube Education Channel.
Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information. Check out the events on Game and Parks’ Facebook page and the Nebraska Project WILD Facebook page.
Wildcat Hills SRA to host Wildflower 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.
Venture Parks to host SRA Saturdays
Park educators will be out and about at Nebraska’s state recreation areas along the Platte River on select Saturdays this summer. Visitors are invited to join them.
There will be an observation station and a variety of outdoor activities to explore. Look for the naturalist table and stop by any time between 1 and 3:30 p.m.
The stops will be June 8 at Louisville SRA (meet at the park shelter across from concessions) and June 22 at Two Rivers SRA (meet at the shelter north of Lakeside Campground).
Apply for Master Naturalist Training
Complete the weeklong training to become a certified Nebraska Master Naturalist. This Complete Training June 9-15 at Cedar Point Biological Station near Ogallala has limited available spots.
Content areas can include natural resource interpretation, conservation biology and ecology, outdoor skills, resource management, citizen science, reptiles, amphibians, turtles, mammals, insects, aquatic ecosystems, geology, grasslands ecology, woodland ecology, and human dimensions/naturalist ethics.
The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult conservation and environmental education program combining indoor presentations and hands-on field experiences to teach conservation volunteers about Nebraska’s natural resources.
For more information or to apply, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Email any questions to jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.
Birding for Everybody and Every Body is June 15
Birding for Everybody and Every Body, set for 2 p.m. June 15 at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park near Fairbury, is a birding activity accessible and inclusive.
Rock Creek will welcome birders of all abilities, including beginners and families with small children, to a guided bird-watching tour hosted by Nebraska Birdability captain Cassandra Dean. Join the outing, which covers mowed grass trails of about a mile in length, or view birds at feeding stations from the comfort of the Visitor Center lobby.
Contact the park for more information at ngpc.rock.creek.station@
Schramm Pollinator Party is June 15
Celebrate Nebraska pollinators and their plants at the Schramm Pollinator Party from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 15.
This free event at the Schramm Education Center near Gretna, part of a statewide celebration of Nebraska Pollinator Week, will include activities, science, crafts, a plant sale and fun for all ages. Admission costs will apply for any visitors wishing to explore the Education Center in addition to the event.
Direct any questions about the event to Jen Ruyle at 402-332-5022 or Jennifer.ruyle@nebraska.gov. For more information, see the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Homeschool Hikes set for June 19 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. June 19. This month's theme is Pollinators.
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 SRA to host educator workshop
Nebraska educators of grades 5-12 are invited to the Legacy in Environment Education Discovery Workshop at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area June 24-25. This free workshop will investigate the shortgrass prairie ecosystem.
Teachers of all subjects will find this workshop useful. Participants will receive knowledge to use when incorporating local ecology into their curriculum. They will be doing hands-on natural resource activities such as a bighorn sheep tour, bird watching, geology, learning about reptiles, plant walk, and much more.
This workshop, limited to 20 participants, includes all meals and lodging. Registration ends June 14.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register. Email monica.macoubrie@
