Catch these Game and Parks education events in December

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in December.

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.

Little Saplings program at Schramm

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 Dec. 4 with the theme Turtles 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.

‘The Science of …’ virtual webinar series continues

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s virtual webinar series “The Science of …” returns in December. On Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central Time, Game and Parks educators will discuss the science behind common things regarding nature and animals. The topics: Dec. 5 – Cyanobacteria; Dec. 12 – Flight; Dec. 19 – Prairie Dogs.

The webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links. Contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov for more information.

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Dec. 10

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 new 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 Dec. 10, the topic for this free program for all ages will be Bird Identification Strategies. Those strategies in December include shape, markings, behavior, habitat, and range.

James Family Conservatory to host Wise and Wild

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 Dec. 10, the topic for this free event will be Nature Journaling and Phenology. Discover the benefits of nature journaling and explore how observing nature over time can tell a story.

Wildcat Hills preschool program is Dec. 10

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host its monthly preschool program Dec. 10 with Winter Wonderland.

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.

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.

Night Hike at Schramm Park SRA

Enjoy the sounds of the forest on a crisp winter night and join Schramm Park State Recreation Area naturalists on a hike in forest after nightfall Dec. 12.

The 1.5-mile hike will begin at 7 p.m. at the pond trailhead. The hike, which will last about an hour, will follow the west side of the Hackberry Trail and the full Red Cedar Trail loop.

There are stairs at the trailhead and an elevation change during the hike. The hike likely will stop briefly midway through to turn off lights to give eyes a chance to adjust for better night sky viewing.

Wildcat Hills homeschool program is Dec. 12

The Wildcat Hills homeschool program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Learn what animals do to prepare for winter as the theme Dec. 12 is Winter Wonderland.

Certified staff lead various programs that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your students’ learning.

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

Homeschool Hikes set for Dec. 18-19 at Schramm

Homeschool families for ages 5 and up 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. Dec. 18 and 1 p.m. Dec. 19. This month's theme is Winter is Coming.

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.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Indian Cave SP to host Christmas Bird Count

Come join the fun at the Indian Cave State Park Christmas Bird Count from 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 19.

Learn bird identification tips and see some uncommon Nebraska bird species.

Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle, binoculars, and any bird identification books.

A free soup lunch will be provided for participants. Register for the lunch at the park office.

Schramm to host Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Get the family outdoors and help contribute to science by participating in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids at Schramm Education Center near Gretna from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 27.

Schramm naturalists will lead bird hikes in the forest and down to the Platte River. Participants also can watch birds indoors at the park’s feeders. Make bird crafts and help tally the results so they can be shared with the annual Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Project. Reports from each of these counts are sent to the Audubon Society, which compiles the data to help inform researchers about the status of bird populations.

The cost to participate is $4 per child ages 4 and up and $5 per adult. That includes the program and admission to the Education Center. Schramm Family Pass Members participate free. Meet at the classroom.

Nature journaling at Schramm

Learn how to start a nature journal, track changes in the environment and be an observer of the habitat around you. Meet at the Schramm Education Center lobby at 10 a.m. Dec. 31.

This program is for all levels and will include time outdoors, stations with prompts and ideas to practice.