LINCOLN, NE — From fish to snakes to pollinators, those curious about nature will have plenty of opportunities to be engaged by Nebraska Game and parks Commission educators this June. Here are a few opportunities:
Get trained to survey for rare butterflies
LINCOLN, Neb. — Learn to survey for rare butterflies in Nebraska during a June 5 training session offered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Game and Parks and community scientists will conduct surveys for monarch butterflies and regal fritillaries in the tall grass prairies of Nebraska between June 15 and Aug. 15. The annual surveys help document and understand butterfly abundance and habitat needs.
To participate in the surveys, people should attend the virtual training session. Register online at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
The first hour of training is dedicated to learning about the two butterfly species, common plants and other community science opportunities. It will be followed by training on the methods to survey the rare butterflies.
Surveys will primarily take place in the eastern quarter of Nebraska, but this year volunteers are being recruited to conduct site surveys in additional locations across the state.
For more information, follow Facebook.com/nebraskaMPI or contact Cody Dreier at cody.dreier@nebraska.gov.
Party with Parasites in virtual education opportunity
LINCOLN, Neb. — Join the hosts and science educators from Nebraska Game and Parks in talking about the not-so-cuddly and cute category of living organisms: parasites.
Partying with Parasites: Diving into UNL’s Parasitology Lab, part of the free virtual series Nebraska Nature Nerd Night, is at 7 p.m. on June 15. The series is designed for curious adults and explores the secrets and science of nature in Nebraska through storytelling and conversation.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln research scientists — Scott Gardner, professor and curator of parasitology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and School of Biological Sciences, and Gabor Racz, collection manager at the University of Nebraska’s Manter Laboratory of Parasitology — will talk about what parasites are, what their life cycles are like, and just how common these species are on Earth. The two also will talk about the Manter Lab collection of more than 10,000 parasite species from around the world.
Registration is required through the event listing at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov; when registering, guests also are able to submit their questions for experts.
Find information on the other monthly Nebraska Nature Nerd Nights planned on the third Tuesday of each month through November at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov.
Conservation Career Chat: Fisheries Outreach Program manager
LINCOLN, Neb. — Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on June 16 in its series of virtual Conservation Career Chats. This month, learn about the role of the fisheries outreach program manager: Daryl Bauer.
Bauer will share his daily career duties, challenges and successes in the Zoom session set for 10 a.m. Central time. The interview will be recorded and uploaded to the Nebraska Game and Parks Education YouTube Channel.
See the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for the registration link as well as a schedule of future Conservation Career Chats.
For more information, contact monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov or check out Facebook.com/NGPCWildlifeEducation.
Partner with Nebraska Game and Parks for National Pollinator Week
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Pollinator Week returns June 21-27, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites organizations to host in-person or virtual events on pollinators in partnership of the event.
Organizers can enter their event information at NebraskaPollinatorWeek.org and become a part of the growing list of ways Nebraskans can get involved in celebrating bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
The list already includes community science training; pollinator story time; a nighttime light survey; and a variety of pollinator webinars.
Learn more about nebraskapollinatorweek.org.
Explore wildlife education online
Interested in a webinar hosted in June, but missed it? All webinars are recorded and posted to the Nebraska Game and Parks Education YouTube Channel.