Catch these Game and Parks education events in October
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in October.
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.
Schramm hosts Little Saplings on Oct. 1
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 2025 series, which occurs on the first Wednesday of the month, returns Oct. 1 with the theme seed safari at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.
Learn All About Astronomy at Platter River SP
Join naturalists at Platte River State Park’s RV Campground Shelter for All About Astronomy at 4 p.m. on Fridays in October.
Beginning Oct. 3, participants may make a constellation, use a star chart to identify seasonal stars, examine a moon globe and compare it to the moon in the sky. Late at night they can use what they learned as the stars become visible.
Kayak Holmes Lake under full moon
Join Nebraska Game and Parks outdoor educators for a night of exploration at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake under the rising full moon Oct. 6.
This event is free, but registration is required whether participants borrow kayaks that are limited in number or bring their own. Life jackets and paddles also will be provided.
Meet at 6 p.m. at the beach area on the south side of the lake on Holmes S. Shore Road.
See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register and get more information. Direct questions to Lia Havlena at [email protected].
Flock to Birds of a Feather on Oct. 7
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 James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
A birding topic is introduced in each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area.
On Oct. 7, the topic for the free, bird-related program for all ages will be the fall migration. Say goodbye to our summer residents and support our migratory birds on their journey.
Library to host Reptile Family Fun Night
Join Lincoln City Libraries and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on Oct. 7 for a Family Fun Night geared toward Reptile Awareness.
Stop by the Charles H. Gere Library, 2400 S. 56th St., from 5:30-7 p.m. to meet some live snakes, turtles and lizards and learn about Nebraska’s native reptile species from Game and Parks staff.
There will be crafts, opportunities to read to a reptile, and fun, reptile-related educational giveaways.
Email any questions to [email protected].
Sensory Safari is at Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Sensory Safari is an event Oct. 8 where visually and sensory impaired guests will have the opportunity to touch, feel, hear, and smell at interpretive stations located throughout the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.
Nature experts from organizations across Nebraska will engage visitors at each station during this special event hosted by the zoo and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Required registration can be completed at the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Discover ‘Science of’ death and decomposition
Discover the essential role of death and decomposition in Nebraska’s ecosystems as Nebraska Game and Parks’ popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.
On Oct. 9, learn how decaying plants and animals recycle nutrients, support diverse food webs, and shape habitats.
In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators 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.
Wildcat Tales preschool program is Oct. 14
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Oct. 14 with the theme bats of Nebraska.
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.
For more information, contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Homeschool Hikes set for Oct. 15-16 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. Oct. 15 and 1 p.m. Oct. 16. This month's theme is nature journaling.
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.
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 homeschool program to focus on bats
Learn about Nebraska’s amazing birds through stories and hands-on activities Oct. 16 during the Bats of Nebraska homeschool program at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
The free program meets once a month at 10 a.m. Mountain time at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs each month that showcase a different theme, focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations and habitats found only in western Nebraska.
For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Webinar to discuss Wild Herbs for Food and Medicine
The Master Naturalist Mondays virtual webinar series continues at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 with Wild Herbs for Food and Medicine.
Join presenter Rachel Liester, an herbal educator and Master Naturalist, in a discussion of ethnobotany, with information on wild plants considered food and medicine in Plains Native American, Alaska Native and Celtic cultures.
Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program. The program recruits, trains, manages, and provides resources for our volunteer naturalist members. This free webinar series hosts a variety of presenters and subject matter. It allows Nebraska Master Naturalist to connect to its conservation motivations and inspirations and its naturalist community across the state.
For more information or to register, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Email any questions to [email protected].