Catch these Game and Parks education events in September

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

Don’t forget to purchase a Nebraska Vehicle Park Entry Permit to enter the state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances. A permit is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot.

James Family Conservatory to host Wise and Wild

Wise and Wild is a program for those aged 18 and up who love the outdoors. It will be at 10 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Sept. 1, the topic for this free event will be Pond Ecology. Use dip nets, scopes and more to explore and try to identify critters in the lake. Meet at Owen Marina.

On Sept. 22, Primitive Shooting Sports is the theme. Practice using a slingshot and then throwing a spear with an atlatl before heading over to the range.

A variety of nature-related topics will be shared in this free program for all ages.

Spectacular Spiders the theme for Little Saplings

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at the Schramm Education Center south of Gretna.

The 2026 series, which occurs on the first Wednesday of the month, continues Sept. 2 at 9 and 10 a.m. The topic will be Spectacular Spiders. The program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Discover ‘Science of’ Sunflowers

Sunflowers are more than Nebraska’s iconic blooms, they’re a window into the fascinating science of plants

On Sept. 10, this virtual program explores how sunflowers grow, their unique adaptations for tracking the sun, and how they reproduce and produce seeds. You’ll also learn about their role in local ecosystems, interactions with pollinators, and the history of sunflowers in Nebraska.

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 entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.

Schramm After Dark: Spider Hike

Visit the Schramm Education Center for a night hike to find spiders. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, meet at the shelter by the first pond as you enter Schramm Park State Recreation Area.

Join educators for a spider hike where we will use flashlights to search for sparkling webs and reflective eyes as we hunt for amazing arachnids. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you have one.

Kayak cleanup scheduled at Carter Lake

Join Nebraska Game and Parks Commission outdoor educators and partners on Sept. 10 for a night of kayaking and cleaning up aquatic habitat at Omaha’s Carter Lake while kayaking.

Meet at the boat ramp on the northeast side of the lake, just off Abbott Drive and E. Carter Boulevard at 6 p.m. Basic instruction will be given at the start of the event. Trash bags and gloves will be provided for participants.

A limited number of loaner kayaks are available.

Registration is required and can be completed at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Send any questions to [email protected].

Make a Nature Zine at Mahoney SP

Join naturalists at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center classroom for a workshop Sept. 12 on making mini magazines with a nature theme.

Zines can be shared to bring joy and spread a positive message about nature. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants will make zines to keep or share. Materials are provided. This program is best for ages 7 and up, but younger friends are welcome.

The program is free and does not require registration. It coincides with Girl Scouts Love State Parks. Scouts in uniform can pick up a “Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Explore Nebraska!” magazine while participating.

Find out how wings work Sept. 12

Learn about some specialized flight adaptations of winged creatures at Schramm Park State Recreation Area on Sept. 12.

Fly on in to become an expert on all things wings and how different wings are used for different things. Be it birds, bugs or bats, you’ll discover how wings work.

This program, which is free and does not require registration, will be held in the Treehouse Classroom. It coincides with Girl Scouts Love State Parks. Scouts in uniform can pick up a “Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Explore Nebraska!” magazine while participating.

Homeschool Hikes set for Sept. 16-17

Homeschool families are invited to join a Schramm outdoor educator on a guided hike during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Sept. 16 and 1 p.m. Sept. 17. This month's theme is Butterflies.

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. The cost is $5.

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

Wildcat Hills homeschool program studies birds

Take flight into the fascinating world of birds. Discover incredible adaptations, learn to identify common species, and explore how birds survive and thrive in Nebraska’s diverse habitats during the Wildcat Hills homeschool program Sept. 17.

The free program meets once a month at 10 a.m. at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center south of Gering. 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.

Wildcat Hills preschool program is Sept. 22

The free, monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program is on Sept. 22, with the theme of Birds and Feathers.

The program will meet at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center south of Gering at 10 a.m. 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.