Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Happy #WorldFisheriesDay! ???? On this day, we celebrate the importance of healthy fisheries, not just for our enjoyment, but also for the future of our state's ecosystems. The Nebraska Game and Parks is proud to manage our state's wild fish population. From our five fish hatcheries to our Aquatic Habitat Program and research efforts, our team runs several programs to ensure Nebraska's fish thrive for years to come. Learn more about our fisheries programs here: https://brnw.ch/21wOR1D ??: Eric Fowler #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #FishNebraska

It's nature's naptime! ?? Hibernation is a much more complex process than simply napping. In fact, it requires significant preparation and is often misunderstood. Did you know that... ?? In Nebraska, only a few animals truly hibernate, including groundhogs, ground squirrels, bat species, and reptiles like snakes. Other animals undergo torpor, a state triggered by extremely cold temperatures, to conserve energy. ?? Animals know when it's time to enter hibernation by observing external temperatures, photoperiod, light, and food inventory. ?? To successfully hibernate, animals have a checklist of actions to take before falling into deep sleep. Ground squirrels and groundhogs prepare a den lined with insulation, while chipmunks consume large amounts of food to build up their fat reserves. ?? Environmental issues like food scarcity or habitat loss can delay hibernation. Even though hibernation might sound like a good idea for people, it is truly a lengthy and exhausting bodily process that some animals must go through to survive. So, enjoy the 8 hours of sleep you get tonight instead of wishing for the whole winter. Learn more by reading "The Hibernation Checklist" by Monica Macoubrie: https://brnw.ch/21wOKAy ??: Eric Fowler #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #WildNebraska

Firearm deer season is almost here! As excitement builds toward the season, hunters should think #SafetyFirst. Find everything you need to know about deer hunting in Nebraska here: https://brnw.ch/21wODpC #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #HuntNebraska

We're #hiring! The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking applicants for the following positions: ?? Conservation Wildlife Biologist ?? Park Superintendent ?? Fish and Wildlife Biologist ?? Maintenance Technician ?? Outdoor Education Specialist ?? Conservation Officer ?? Professional Engineer II ?? Land Surveyor ...and more! Learn more and apply: https://brnw.ch/21wOzDa #outdoorNEjobs #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hunter Education this year! Hunter Education wouldn't be the successful program that it is without its volunteers. Since Hunter Education was mandated in 1974, more than 5,000 volunteer instructors have been trained in Nebraska. This has led to more than 340,000 students earning Hunter Education certificates and an 80% decrease in the number of hunting incidents. During our commission meeting Oct. 25, three volunteer Hunter Education instructors were presented awards for their longtime commitment and significant impact to the program. Among the award recipients were William Kucera, Kent Zeller and David Zeller. The Zellers, along with Joseph Bober, Dennis Bridge and Gaylan Steele, were also recognized for teaching Hunter Education classes all 50 years of the program. Join us in thanking these outstanding instructors for their dedication and years of service to Nebraska's Hunter Education program! ?? Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wOs49 #OutdoorNebraska #NEgameandparks #NGPCteam #HuntNE #SafeHunting

Did you know? Historic records indicate that over 10,000 whooping cranes once lived across North America. Sadly, the whooping crane population nearly became extinct by 1942, with a migrating population of only 16 birds. With the help of legal protection and dedicated conservation efforts, whooping crane populations are slowly increasing. Each fall, the entire population of whooping cranes in the Central Flyway migrates through Nebraska. Beginning their 2,500-mile journey from breeding sites in Canada, these cranes fly until they reach their wintering sites in Texas. We need your help tracking these endangered birds during their stopover in Nebraska! If you think you see a whooping crane, be sure to: 1. Report the sighting here: https://brnw.ch/21wOn9R 2. Do not approach or harass the whooping cranes for any reason. Together, we can do our part to support whooping crane conservation and recovery efforts. Learn more about whooping cranes here: https://brnw.ch/21wOn9S ??: Nick Sauvageau #OutdoorNebraska #NEgameandparks #WildNebraska

Happy Halloween, Nebraska! ??????? This October, Nebraska Game and Parks brought spooky season to life by hosting several events across the state. From haunted hayrack rides to campsite trick-or-treating, our team worked to create memorable experiences for visitors celebrating Halloween in outdoor Nebraska. A big thank you to all of our park workers and volunteers for organizing and hosting these fantastic events! See you next year for another spooktacular time in Nebraska's state parks and recreation areas. ??: Nebraskaland Magazine #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #NGPCteam #Halloween

Join our team! The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking applicants for the following positions: ?? Outdoor Education Specialist ?? Park Superintendent ?? Conservation Officer ?? Professional Engineer ?? Land Surveyor ?? Fish and Wildlife Specialist ?? Conservation Biologist ...and more! Learn more and apply: https://brnw.ch/21wObcU #outdoorNEjobs #hiring #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska

It's #BatWeek! ?? Bat Week (Oct. 24-31) is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. Bats are amazing creatures that are vital to the health of our natural world and economy. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night - eating tons of insects, pollinating flowers and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees. Nebraska is home to 13 different bat species, with nine of them listed as at-risk in the state's wildlife action plan, the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. One bat species — the Northern Long-Eared Bat — is listed as Threatened on the national Threatened and Endangered species list. Learn more about the Northern Long-Eared Bat here: https://brnw.ch/21wO4yW ??: Eric Fowler #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #WildNebraska #WildlifeEducation #Bats

Cool October breezes stir along a path at Indian Cave State Park, lined with pumpkins painted pink. Dozens of people wearing gray and pink T-shirts stride along the path, stopping to look. Each pumpkin is decorated with glitter, a big ribbon and the name of someone who has had cancer. Recognizing a name, families gather around the pumpkins, smiling and posing for pictures. This annual event, called the Pink Pumpkin Walk, began in memory of Sharon Holliday of Lincoln. Her son, Kevin Holliday, was the park superintendent at Indian Cave at the time. Read "Walking to Remember" by Renae Blum here: https://brnw.ch/21wNYwp ?? & ??: Renae Blum #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #NGPCTeam