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Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog (37)
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We are indeed wild about our volunteers. ...
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWe are indeed wild about our volunteers. They make it happen here on so many levels. Thank you!
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Whooper Watch Training Session Offered
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogCrane Trust Monitors Endangered Whooping Cranes
Wood River, Nebraska—The Crane Trust has re-activated its Whooper Watch™ program to enlist the public's help in monitoring whooping cranes as they migrate through Nebraska to their nesting grounds in Canada.
The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America, standing nearly 5 feet tall. With fewer than 300 whooping cranes in the last wild, migratory flock, it is also among the rarest, explains Dr. Mary Harner, Director of Science at the Crane Trust.
"The Whooper Watch™ program is a great opportunity for the public to get involved and help us spot, observe and learn more about these rare and magnificent birds during their migration," says Harner. "There are so few whooping cranes to be seen, the more eyes we have watching for them the better."
Unlike sandhill cranes, which typically spend 3-4 weeks staging in the Platte River Valley before continuing on to their nesting grounds in the north, the whooping crane uses the area as a brief stopover to feed and rest for a much shorter period of time, sometimes only for a day or two.
"The stopovers are short, but they're critical for the species' survival," says Harner. "Having the right habitat for them to feed and rest safely when they do stop is critical for them to breed successfully in Canada."
Whooping cranes spend the winter from November to March along the Gulf Coast of Texas at or near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Each spring from late March to late April, the whoopers migrate through central Nebraska to their breeding grounds in northern Canada at Wood Buffalo National Park—an extraordinary 2,500-mile journey for a bird that weighs 14-17pounds and has a wingspan of approximately 7 feet.
The Whooper Watch™ program utilizes a toll free Whooper Watch™ number for watchers to call when a whooping crane has been spotted. Watchers are asked to report key information when they call, which launches a team of scientists to confirm the sighting and later document specific features of the stopover location. The program is strictly for spotting and recording locations of whooping cranes.
All sightings and locations are confidential and are not released to the public, so as not to risk disturbing the birds. It is vital, Harner adds, that watchers NOT disturb or influence the birds in any way.
The whooping crane is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Should someone be fortunate enough to spot a whooping crane, Harner stresses these important cautions:
1) Never approach a whooping crane
2) Stay in the vehicle or established viewing area while observing the bird(s)
3) Observe from a distance of at least 2,000 feet (approximately 0.4 miles)
4) Avoid flushing the birds or causing them to alter their normal behavior
IMPORTANT PROGRAMMING NOTE FOR THE PUBLIC
The public is invited to two important presentations on the whooping crane and other endangered migratory species immediately prior to the Whooper Watch™ training session on Saturday, March 31, at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center:
1) At 1:00 p.m., U.S. Fish & Wildlife Biologist Martha Tacha will give a public report on the status of whooping cranes and other endangered migratory species along the Platte River.
2) At 2:15 p.m., Crane Trust Director of Science Dr. Mary Harner will report on the first-of-its-kind telemetry study of whooping crane breeding, wintering and migratory ecology. For the telemetry study, the Crane Trust is working in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
3) Immediately following Dr. Harner's presentation, Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center Program Manager Dan Glomski will conduct a training session for people interested in being part of the Whooper Watch™ program.
The Crane Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and maintenance of critical habitat for cranes and other migratory birds along the Platte River. The Crane Trust recently acquired the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center, which serves as an important gateway for the world to this extraordinary ecosystem.
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“Wild About Nebraska” Speaker & Event Series Celebrates Crane Season and Life on the Platte
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWood River, Neb–The Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center has announced the final schedule for its Wild About Nebraska Speaker & Event Series in March. The month-long series begins March 3 with a live art demonstration and concludes March 31 with a special Crane Trust report on the whooping crane telemetry project.
All events and presentations are open to the public and will be held at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center near Wood River in south central Nebraska, I-80 Alda Exit 305.
“With 19 different events scheduled for the month, this year’s program is bigger and more engaging than ever,” says Brad Mellema, director of the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center. “Each of the events is truly unique in its connection to the Platte River Valley and the extraordinary life and diversity that depend on it to thrive.”
From live art demonstrations and book signings by award-winning authors to scientific updates, photo workshops and a multitude of historical narratives, the Wild About Nebraska series has something for everyone. The 2012 series will unveil a number of new features, including two open houses sponsored by Rockbrook Camera/Video and Nikon Sport Optics, with all the latest equipment and insights for outdoor enthusiasts. Nebraska wine tasting will also be featured on weekends, starting March 10.
Program highlights for the Crane Trust’s 2012 Wild About Nebraska series include:
Live Demonstrations:
Patricia Scarborough: Landscape Painting, Wings Over the Prairie Exhibit Featured Artist (March 3)
Blake Hatfield: Nebraska’s Birds of Prey, Raptor Recovery Program (March 11)
Book-signings and Presentations:
Jeff Kurrus: “Have You Seen Mary?” (March 10)
Jorn Olsen: “Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains” (March 11)
Greg Miller: “The Big Year” (March 24)
Adam Jones: “Canon Explorers of Light” Speaker and Photographer (March 24)
Natural History and Conservation Presentations:
Dr. Will Locke: “Headwaters of the Platte” (March 4)
Dr. Paul Johnsgard: “Winter & Early Spring Birds of Nebraska” (March 17)
Dr. Bill Beachly: “A Crane’s Eye View of Central Nebraska” (March 18)
Dr. George Archibald: International Crane Foundation (March 25)
Dr. Jerry Kenny: Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (March 25)
Scientific Updates and Reports:
Martha Tacha: US Fish & Wildlife Division (March 31)
Dr. Mary Harner: The Crane Trust (March 31)
The 2012 series coincides with the spring crane migration, as more than 500,000 sandhill cranes converge on the area to feed, rest and store up energy reserves before moving on to their nesting grounds in the north. Visitors can experience this spectacular congregation as never before by signing up for a guided viewing blind at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center. Special overnight photo blinds and step-on bus tours are also available.
For more details and information, visitors can go to NebraskaNature.org or call 308-382-1820.
The Crane Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of critical habitat for cranes and other migratory birds along the Platte River. The Crane Trust recently acquired the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center, which serves as an important gateway for the world to this extraordinary ecosystem as part of the Crane Trust.
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Volunteers Git-R-Done at the Nature Center!
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogVolunteers do a lot of things around here. A project that was done this past year in large part by the The Heartland Runabouts Chapter of the Nebraska FCRV was installing and starting a butterfly garden on our back patio area. Rich and Sharlene Burns were also key player in maintining the garden project over the summer. It should look fantastic this spring as it comes to life!
By: Gary & Linda Sander
A FCRV Wildlife grant was approved for $700.00 at National in 2010, the funds were dedicated for a butterfly garden at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Ce.n ter. All butterflies have the same general life cycle, consisting of four life stages: egg, larva (the caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and adult (the butterfly). Each stage has special food and environmental needs. The garden was designed to provide habitat, shelter, food sources (i.e. leaves and stems) desirable to butterfly larvae, while adult butterflies visit flowers for nectar.
On May 14, volunteers from The Heartland Runabouts Chapter of the Nebraska FCRV worked at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center tilling, raking, planting and mulching the hundreds of plants f or the Butterfly Garden. The Chapter members were: Mert & Janene Feikert, Dennis & Deb Hoagland, Sandy & Ken Kendall, Dave & Alice Kruger. Gary & Linda Sander, Gary & Karen Wilson, Steve & Marcia Witmer.
The Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center is solely supported by sponsorships, contributions, grants and program fees. The Center strives to educate and tell the story to audiences of all ages from Nebraska, the nation, and around the world, to increase awareness and appreciation of the Platte river ecosystem.
The most notable wildlife visitors to the Platte River ecosystem are nearly
500,000 migrating Sandhill Cranes accompanied by migrating endangered Whooping Crones. However, a large variety of important wildlife species are present at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center to be observed and studied. Wildlife tours are conducted on a continual schedule to. observe, educate, and acquaint visitors of the importance of wildlife to everyone.
The Nebraska FCRV, Heartland Runabout Chapter would like to invite everyone to stop at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center at Aida, Nebraska ( Exit 305 on
I-80, Aida fs just West of Grand Island) to learn about the Butterflies visiting the garden as well as the Wildlife that frequent the Platte River Valley through out the seasons.
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Photograph Nebraska will feature Crane Trust Wildlife tours.
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogJoin us at the Hastings Photography Symposium this February. The Nature Center will be hosting photographic wildlife tours as an option during this event. Hope to see you there!
Hastings, NE - Amateur photographers are invited to learn more about their
craft, network with other photographers and listen to advice from seasoned
professionals at the Photograph Nebraska Symposium to be held on February 24
& 25 at the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
Keynote presenters will include:
- National Geographic Photographer, Joel Sartore - After more than 20
year and 30 stories for the National Geographic Society, Joel has covered
everything from the remote Amazon rainforest to beer-drinking,
mountain-racing firefighters in the United Kingdom. Joel has completed
assignments for Audubon Magazine, Time, Life, Newsweek and Sports
Illustrated.
- Digital Photography Expert, Randy Hampton
- Omaha World Herald Photojournalist, Alyssa Schukar
This two-day event will also include workshops on: sports photography,
camera care, publishing, composition, severe storm photography, blended
photography, photo projects, wildlife photography and natural and
artificial lighting. Speakers will include: Bruce Thorson, Alan Mais, Jeff
Kurrus, John Brooks, Ryan McGinnis, Steve & Bobbi Olson, Rick Houchin and
Bob Grier
Professionals will be on hand to critique photographs throughout the event.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to photograph waterfowl and cranes
in a blind on the Platte River. This event is held in conjunction with the
"Life Up Close" Photography Exhibit which will be on display at the Hastings
Museum from Saturday, February 4 thru Sunday, March 25.
The event is hosted by the Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Please
visit www.PhotographNebraska.com for the schedule and registration
information.
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Getting Started by Looking Back.
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Twenty-three years ago, a group of people got together to launch an idea. It came from a need for a place to connect people with the sandhill cranes. People were showing up in the area to see cranes in ever increasing numbers. People had written about the birds: Johnsgard, Lingle, and Archibald. When they wrote, the birders took note. Then the public took notice when people like Forsberg, Sartore, and Tebbel began to get it out there that this was something unique.
People that grew up around here knew about the cranes, they’re everywhere. Love them or hate them, they’re just part of being here as much as planting corn and the dicey weather each spring. For most, it never occurred that this was something unique or exotic. Who are these people and why are they coming to see these birds? But come they did, and the hospitality industry began to see an increase in an otherwise slow time of year.
Grand Island found itself with a need, and Paul Currier from Whooping Crane Trust along with local leaders kicked off the idea by providing a place, a small building where tours and programs could be held. Education and information were recognized as beneficial to conservation because if things are happening, good or bad, and people don’t know about it and support it, it will go away.
The Nature Center grew and the Bosselman Family donated a former travel center with Interstate 80 frontage, where more then twenty thousand cars a day go by, to be used as a Nature Center. Grand Island got excited and footbridges were placed across the river opening up the native prairies to the public.
But, the main mission, over time, has remained; provide a place where people can connect to the Platte River and to the land. Running a non-profit in a for-profit world is a difficult thing to do. People fall in love with an idea hoping that finances will just work out. It makes for a rocky path, but through it all a culture endures that is solid, and the timeless tradition of the wildlife and the land endures, sometimes in spite of what we do.
A lot of good things have happened here; partnerships formed, ideas tried, and experiences gained. People come and go and the mission stays. People get that, it’s the tie that binds. I knew that good things were in store for this place all along, but also knew that they would never happen without partnerships. It takes a common vision to make things work in this world and when opportunities come, we cannot afford to let them pass by.
The Nature Center is now on a new path with a merger of operations as the Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust. We will now operate completely within the Trust; this is a partnership that makes sense. For those of you not familiar with the Trust, it is a land-based conservation organization created in the early 80’s as a result of the construction of the Grey Rocks Dam on the North Platte River in Wyoming. The Trust was created as mitigation for the newly implemented Endangered Species Act for the dam project.
The Trust has operated in south central Nebraska ever since, providing land and science based conservation solutions for the whooping crane and other migratory birds. The Trust has been described as the best thing most people have never heard of. It is truly and asset to Nebraska and those in the conservation and scientific community are well aware of the Trust’s activities. The Crane Trust’s work has been very much on the ground and in the river.
The Trust focus is in three areas: land, science and information/education. It's tied together like a three legged stool. This recipe for conservation is valuable and time tested and it is not unique to the Trust. Many organizations do this to some extent, but the Trust is unique in that it a protector of critical habitat effected by the Platte River’s water flows in the big bend region.
We are now a lot further downstream from where we started. Moving forward, there will most certainly be challenges to the ideas and activities, but the Trust, as it always has, will continue to provide a unique value to this region. Not everyone will agree with every activity, and that’s ok, but the starting point for any great idea is to change a few minds at first.
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The Big Year
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
"In 1998 I zigzagged across the continent to try to see as many species of birds in one calendar year as possible. It was an incredible experience passing the 700-species mark—an achievement many birders aspire to in an entire lifetime."
Thirteen years ago, Greg Miller (pictured above) decided to undertake a "Big Year" -- an exciting, arduous and often expensive venture designed to see more species of birds on U.S. soil during one year than ever before. In the midst of personal upheaval, Greg faces competition from two much wealthier birders also doing Big Years. From boreal forests to steamy southern swamps, from sun-baked deserts to a rat-infested bunker on an Aleutian island, he travels to as many "hotspots" as he can reach and breaks the 700-species mark.
What obstacles does Greg overcome during his Big Year? Does he out-bird his better-funded competition? Moreover, why put yourself through such an ordeal just to chase birds across the continent?
This March, Greg will be in the Grand Island area to tell his story though events sponsored by Central Community College - Grand Island, the Nebraska Bird Partnership, the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center and the Wild Bird Habitat Store in Lincoln. You'll not only hear about the adventure in '98, he'll also relate his experiences as a consultant for the recent motion picture "The Big Year", starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. (Greg was the inspiration for Jack Black's character.)
With the opening of a new year, why not take your own Big Year adventure? Don't worry; we're not suggesting camping in a cottonmouth-infested swamp or shivering on a brutally cold January day in Duluth. Rather, try these:
1. Read Mark Obmascik's book "The Big Year", the basis for the motion picture. It's a quick read and provides an excellent backdrop to Greg's talks.
2. Check out the motion picture itself. CCC will offer a screening when Greg is in town.
3. Go out looking for birds! Report your sightings to our Big Year Facebook page. We especially invite birding beginners to participate. You might also keep a "life list" of what you see; a great way to do this is to input your sightings into ebird.com. This site will keep track of what you've seen when. Moreover, you'll be contributing valuable data to a huge database of tremendous value to scientists.
4. Participate in area birding events. The Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center has events throughout the year to help add to your species list. Central Community College in Grand Island will offer birding classes tailored to beginning birders. Here's a partial list of events planned:
Feb 18: Birds and Bagels, Crane Trust Nature & Visitor CenterFeb 20: Backyard Bird Feeding, NBP staff-led course offered through CCC
Mar 14: The Big Year book discussion, Grand Island Public Library. Free and open to the public.
Mar 21: Beyond the Screen movie presentation of “The Big Year” and discussion with special guest Greg Miller
Mar 22: Q & A with The Big Year's Greg Miller, Grand Island Public Library. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Greg questions about The Big Year book, his feelings about being a subject in the book, and any other questions that come to mind in a relaxed intimate session.
Mar 24: “The Big Morning” Birding Trip w/Greg Miller
Mar 24: Greg Miller afternoon presentation, “Swamps, Mountain Tops, and Cheap Motels: My Big Year Travelogue” - Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center
Mar 24: Greg Miller evening presentation, “The Big Year: The Triumph of Nature and the Human Spirit” - Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center
Apr 13-15: "Chicken and Stars" - Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center staff-led Sandhills birding and stargazing trip. The highlight is viewing Greater Prairie-Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse courtship displays.
May 10-12: Beginning Birding Course, NBP staff-led course offered through CCC in partnership with the Prairie Plains Resource Institute
So grab your binoculars, and we'll see you in the field!
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A "Q and A" About Crane Migration and Guided Tours
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Nebraska's sandhill crane migration in March gets a lot of attention from birdwatchers and the general public alike. It truly is one of the world's grandest wildlife spectacles: once experienced, the sight and sounds of thousands of cranes together is never forgotten.
Not surprisingly, we at the nature center receive a lot of questions about the cranes and the migration. Here, we'll try to address some of more common. At the top of the list is this one:
When is the best time to see the cranes? We dedicated an entire post to answering this query -- see here.
I see you offer tours to see cranes. Tell me about these. What happens? Our guided tours are designed to get you as close to the cranes as possible without disturbing them. Participants meet at the nature center; a staff member gives a 20-minute orientation before participants are divided into separate groups (if needed) for the viewing blind and weekend evening footbridge tours. Afterwards, we head out to our separate crane-viewing spots, where we view the cranes for approximately two hours.
What's the difference between the blind and footbridge tours? The viewing blind is an enclosed, unheated structure along the main channel of the Platte River. Reaching it requires caravaning in your own vehicles plus a walk of up to 1/2 mile over rough terrain. Blind tour participants come and go as a group so as to minimize disturbance. Blind tours are offered both morning and evening, corresponding to when the birds leave and enter the river, often in large groups.
The viewing location for the weekend evening footbridge tour is a footbridge crossing a smaller channel of the Platte just south of the center, about a 1/3 mile walk along a handicapped-accessible trail. The bridge is not enclosed, so you are exposed to the elements. Here, you can watch the cranes land onto the prairie just south of the bridge, then onto the sandbars within the channel for the night. Footbridge tour participants may leave whenever desired, but may not return after doing so. These tours are offered weekend evenings only.
Which tour gives a better look? Both are capable of excellent views, depending on the individual tour.
Do you guarantee I'll see lots of cranes if I take a tour? The vast majority of tours are loaded with great looks. But nature being what it is, things can and do happen. For example, sometimes an eagle makes a flyover and frightens the birds off the roost. A very cold winter can delay the migration, making early-season viewing somewhat risky. The river habitat itself changes from season to season, so a location that was great one year may be less so the next (and vice-versa). We do our best to find locations where cranes are roosting.
What about these photographic blinds? These are private blinds placed to give the ultimate crane experience -- you might find yourself literally amongst the cranes! Since an overnight stay is required, photographic blinds are for the hardcore crane viewer only. Contact us for more details.
Can't I see the cranes for free? You can drive back roads during the day, when the cranes are feeding in cornfields. Stop by the nature center and we'll let you know where to look and which roads to avoid (as many roads here are gravel, which can become muddy messes when snow melts or rain falls).
At least three public crane-viewing spots are located along the river to watch the birds come in during the evening. These can be good viewing locations, but since the birds can see you, they won't land as close compared to the viewing blind locations. Nonetheless, these are good options, particularly for families with young children.
Speaking of which, I see you don't allow children under 12 on guided tours. Why not? Experience has shown us that most small children cannot tolerate the outdoor conditions these tours encounter--cold, wind etc.--for extended periods. If you have an especially interested young birder in your family or group, take him/her to one of the public viewing spots.
Should I pre-register for tours, or just show up? Crane tours during the last two weeks of March can fill well in advance, especially on weekends. Outside of that, spots are often, but not always, available for walk-ins. We strongly recommend pre-registering to avoid disappointment. You can register online through our website (nebraskanature.org) or call us at 308-382-1820.
If I take a tour, what should I bring and how should I prepare? See this post for more details.
What's the weather like when the cranes are here? While anything from thunderstorms to snow to wind to warm weather is possible, it's typically chilly in March -- 30's or 40's F for highs and lows in the teens or 20's. Dress appropriately.
What else is there to see besides the cranes? Far from being "boring," Nebraska features a full gamut of natural wonders. Snow geese are prevalent early in crane season, sometimes in flocks that can turn the sky literally white. Fortunate viewers might spot a rare whooping crane, particularly as the sandhill cranes begin to leave in April. Around this same time, the greater prairie chickens and sharptail grouse begin their mating dances. Most habitat for these grassland grouse has fallen to the plow, but at least one chicken dancing ground can be seen -- albeit from a distance -- from a road NW of Grand Island. Grassland grouse remain abundant in the Nebraska Sandhills, where guided tours are available.
With only few small, widely-separated towns in the region, the Sandhills also offer an ideal location for stargazing. If you're in the area for grouse viewing and the night sky is clear and moonless, go outside and take a look up. You'll probably never see more stars at one time, especially if you give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
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Preparing for a Guided Crane Viewing Tour
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogA guided crane tour gives you the chance of viewing the gathering of over 400,000 sandhill cranes along Nebraska's Platte River. This is an experience like no other on the planet. The experience is far more enjoyable -- for both you and your fellow crane-watchers -- if you prepare properly for your tour. The following brief article offers some general guidelines. Please note it applies to viewing tours (blind and footbridge), not to the private photographic blinds.
Clothing: March and early April in Nebraska is often cold, especially while sitting still in an unheated blind or standing on the footbridge for two hours. Bundle up accordingly: gloves, hats, thick socks, thermal undergarments are just a few items you should wear. Rule of thumb: Pretend the air temperature is at least 20 degrees colder than the thermometer reading, and dress for that temperature. A cold wind blowing -- a frequent occurrence here -- will give the air an additional bite. Rain gear is a plus in wet weather. We can't emphasize strongly enough: Please dress warmly and appropriately.
Binoculars and spotting scopes: Strongly recommended if you have them. Tripods for spotting scopes are permitted if space allows. Your guide may have a spotting scope for viewing, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Photo and video equipment: You may certainly take video and still images, but with some caveats. In particular, flash photography is not allowed under any circumstances; the cranes have been scared off their roosts on more than one occasion by a thoughtless flash. Even preview screens can cast enough light on a person's face to make a crane think twice about sticking around. Again, tripods are permitted if room allows, but please respect your fellow viewers and their space.
Reaching viewing locations: Viewing blinds and the footbridge require a walk of up to 1/2 mile to reach. In the case of blinds, this walk is over rough terrain. (The footbridge is wheelchair-accessible.) In addition, viewing blind tour participants caravan in their own vehicles to the blinds (though carpooling is possible).
Weather (and other) cancellations: March snowstorms make occasional visits to the Cornhusker State. Tours are cancelled only if any portion of Interstate 80 between North Platte (on the west) and Lincoln (east) is closed. We will do our best to inform participants when tours are cancelled. Otherwise, all tours are held as scheduled. Cancellations from participants require a minimum of 24 hours notice.
Not permitted on crane-viewing tours: Flashlights, children under 12, pets, cellphones and other electronic communication devices. In case of emergency, your guide will have a cellphone available.
Other considerations: Tours start promptly; please be on time, as we cannot wait for latecomers.
We're looking forward to leading you on a great viewing experience! If you have any questions about preparing for a crane-viewing tour, please contact us at info@nebraskanature.org or call 308-382-1820.
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Things To Be Thankful For... and a Request
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Friends:
I’m thankful for all the people that help make this place work: volunteers, staff, partners, and people who care.
I’m thankful for my family, who put up with my somewhat busy schedule and the patience they show me while doing what needs to be done around here. I’m thankful for my Dad, who took me outside when I was young, and for my Mother, who did most of the real work on our many camping trips.
I’m thankful for Karen, Dan and Shirley, who make things happen around here and who in turn are thankful that I don’t often answer the phone and create more chaos in the process (most of the time.) Pursuant to this, I’m glad that the phone does ring and that the front doorbell chimes frequently here at the Center.
I’m thankful for the people who read this newsletter and blog, or who come to a class, take a tour, or attend a meeting at the Center. I think I’m thankful for Facebook, but I’m not sure if it really matters or not.
I’m thankful for Connie and Blake, who aren’t afraid to walk into my office and tell me I’m all messed up and should do things this way or that. I’m thankful for Dale, who is here when he says he will be. I’m thankful for Cal and the Board of Directors, who have stood by this place and made it happen at a deeper level that most folks might realize.
I’m thankful that when I walk outside, I can hear the sound of sandhill cranes, even though it’s fall.
I’m most thankful that there are a lot of people who work hard to keep a little water in the river, and that Nature continues to dazzle, every time and without fail. Amazing stuff.
The grassroots nature of this organization is evident in all we do and in the underlying passions that keep it going. If you would like to contribute to the annual fund or education fund, you may do so by contacting Karen in the office (308-382-1820) to make a contribution by credit card. If you prefer, you may send a check to 9325 S. Alda Road, Wood River, NE 68883
If you would like to designate your gift to honor a person or a business, we can do that as well.
It is all very exciting, and we’re glad to have you involved in all the excitement!
On behalf of the entire staff at the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center, I wish you all the best in this holiday season.
Brad Mellema
Executive Director
Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center.
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Q: When is the best time to see sandhill cranes in Nebraska?
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogProspective crane-viewers ask this question frequently. Here's the simple answer for those planning a trip to Nebraska: mid to late March gives you virtually a 100% chance of seeing plenty of sandhill cranes. Casual crane viewers need not read further.
If you continued on to this paragraph, perhaps you're a birder, or someone who simply wants to know a little more . . .
This brings us to our more nuanced answer: The entire month of March, plus early April, can be excellent for sandhill crane viewing in Nebraska. The time you choose will depend on you and your expectations. Are you looking to fill an empty check box or two on your life list? Are crowds OK, or are you the type who likes some space between you and your fellow birders? Willing to take a chance on getting "skunked" to view or photograph the cranes in circumstances not seen by most people?
Viewing prospects for the cranes -- and other area wildlife -- change noticeably through March and the first week of April. So we'll split this period into three smaller pieces -- early, middle and late -- and describe what you might see within each.
Early (first half of March): Although the first sandhill cranes can be seen as early as mid-February, large numbers often don't appear until the start of March. Timing of early arrivals can vary considerably from year to year, depending in part on the severity of the current winter. Long spells of exceptionally cold weather in the Platte River valley can delay the migration, making viewing in the first week of March a little dicey. Nonetheless, some of my fondest crane-viewing memories -- and more interesting photographs -- have come during this time. This image from early March 2010 shows cranes roosting on ice patches within the river:
Early March also sees large flocks of snow geese piling into ponds and wetlands, sometimes by the tens of thousands. While stunning to watch, these high concentations can result in outbreaks of avian cholera, which kill thousands of geese. Snows also fall as prey to bald eagles, a frequent sight at this time. Adult balds in flight make magnificent viewing, but are mixed blessings for crane watchers; cranes recognize eagles as predators and will sometimes bolt from a river roost before an eagle flyover. These sudden en masse takeoffs are spectacular but short-lived experiences, sometimes bringing a guided crane tour to an abrupt end.
Middle (latter half of March): As mentioned, this is the usual peak of the sandhill crane migration, with estimates ranging up to a half-million birds in the central Platte valley. However, this "peak" can be misleading. Research shows the first crane arrivals generally use the portion of the Platte south of Grand Island and Alda. As a certain portion of habitat can only hold so many birds, new crane arrivals begin fill in suitable portions of the river further west. So while more cranes may be in the region as a whole, you may not notice much difference in one particular spot on a day-to-day basis. Even so, this period is generally the best and safest crane-viewing bet, particularly if this is a once-only trip. Here's a typical view from one of our blinds:
Not surprisingly, this time also sees the peak of human visitation; those wishing to take guided viewing tours are encouraged to make reservations well in advance.
By this time, the snow geese and many of the bald eagles have usually left the region. A few species of waterfowl might be found on ponds, the river and particularly in the Rainwater Basin south of the Platte River.
Late (early April): While viewing occasionally peaks around this time, in most years sandhill cranes begin to leave as April opens, with many birds gone by mid-month. Also, the cranes' main source of food -- waste corn from the previous fall's harvest -- runs low in fields near the Platte River, forcing the birds to spread out as far as 12 miles either side of the river. Flocks at this time are often more dispersed.
Even so, this viewing time offers advantages. The evening gatherings along the river are still awe-inspiring, with longer, warmer days and later sunsets making for more comfortable conditions. Spots in guided tours are much easier to come by as visitation slows. With remaining cranes often full of corn and less in need of finding food, they'll sometimes linger in one place for longer stretches. They also seem to congregate nearer roadsides, allowing views such as this:
This time is also your best chance of catching a rare whooping crane. With about 300 or so in the wild flock, your odds of seeing this tallest of North American birds are slender at best. If you're lucky enough to spot one, please don't try to approach it. Enjoy this rare and magnificent sight -- even if it doesn't allow an award-winning photograph.
As the sandhill show winds down, the region's other major bird attraction -- the displays of the grassland grouse -- begins to hit high gear. While most habitat of the greater prairie chicken and sharptail grouse in this area has fallen to the plow, their mating dances can still be seen, particularly in the Sandhills region to the northwest. See here and here for more information on guided tours, which are well worth the time and effort to witness.
Keep in mind that, no matter when during the migration you look, day-to-day weather plays a major role in how the cranes behave. A warm, sunny day may keep them in the fields longer, where as a windy, snowy day often brings birds to the river well before sunset. If you're traveling here specifically for the sandhill show, allow for at least two days of viewing if possible, just in case inclement weather during one day doesn't spoil your entire trip.
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Photographer Rick Rasmussen featured in Gallery.
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogNebraska wildlife photographer Rick Rasmussen will feature 38 of his wildlife and nature images images in the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center's Hornaday Art Gallery through December 31, 2011. An open house will be held Saturday, November 19th - time TBA. Rick has traveled all over the world capturing images of nature. His images include sandhill cranes, ducks wolves, prairie chickens and a lot more. Rick is a long-time supporter of the Nature Center and we are delighted to have a more extensive body of his work in the gallery.
Rick's favorite place to photograph is in his lifetime residence of Central Nebraska where he has shared the diverse wildlife opportunities with many photographers from around the United States. Traveling to other locations to experience other fascinating wildlife and landscapes has been a dream come true. Some of these destinations include: Alaska, Yellowstone and Antarctica.
Some of Rick's photo credits include; Highly Honored Winner in Natures Best Magazine 2008 - Windland Rice International Awards Competition, Grand Prize Winner in Wyoming Wildlife Magazine 2008 photo competition, Best Of Show in Grand Island Art In The Park and Best Of Show 4 times at Stuhr Museum Wings Over The Platte Competition. He has also been published in several books and has many images in advertising campaigns.
Rick just returned from and Alaska photo excursion, and said it was awesome but was quick to point out that he's a prairie guy at heart. He is a member of Prairie Winds Art Gallery in Grand Island.
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A Few Photos from the Trail
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogI have not had a chance to post photos from the trail for a while. The Great Plains and prairie is a place that is best experienced on foot. The fall is one of my favorite times to get out there and do a little exploring. Not a lot of birds this afternoon. A few white crowned sparrows and a belted kingfisher were near the first bridge. I noticed a few fresh cut trees downed by beavers near the first bridge as well. I was going to go down and photograph them but smelled the unmistakable perfume of a skunk in the area so I'll leave that photo go for now.
The mixed grass prairie of Central Nebraska.
Belted kingfisher patiently waits for a fish to rise.
Platte River from the first footbridge.
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Jorn Olsen - Across a Wide Horizon
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogHastings Nebraska photographer Jorn Olsen stopped by the Nature Center today to sign a few copies of his book for the gift shop. His book, "Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains" is really a treat to look at. The book review posted below is by George Tuck, who is a professor emeritus, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he taught photojournalism in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The book is very high quality, and printed in the U.S.A. which is saying something in this era of everything being outsourced to other countries. I hope you stop by and pick up a copy for yourself or to give as a gift.
Book Review
Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains
Photography by Jorn C. Olsen
With Foreword by Christopher Amundson
WOW! Outstanding images, beautiful printing, clever titles, dramatic scenery, spectacular wildlife, electrifying weather, peaceful landscapes and, well, you get the idea.
Hit the jump to read on...
For many of us Jorn Olsen is an unknown. After this, his first book, he will join the ranks of Nebraskans whose photos about the state are legendary: Joel Sartore, Michael Forsberg, Bill Ganzel, Margaret MacKichan, Fr. Don Doll, Georg Joutras, and others.
From the spectacular dust jacket of “Sandhills Rising” to the last photo of “Autumn on the River,” the book is a visual treat and a testament to the diversity of scenery and wildlife that exists in Nebraska, should one take the time to “see” it.
Unfortunately there still exist in Nebraska those who refuse to venture off I-80 and discover the visual richness of the Sandhills. If Olsen’s book doesn’t make one hit Nebraska Hwy. 2 to see a cross-section of the state, including its famous frozen dunes in all their expansive color palette, then that just gives more viewing space for the rest of us.
The opening image is “Quiet Satisfaction” in Logan County, a very narrow double-truck landscape of rolling hills and a windmill at twilight. The serenity of the scene is so peaceful and beautiful it makes one want to sit and enjoy it for hours.
Four gate-folds (three-page spreads) further add to the drama of Olsen’s wide-view landscapes. These are particularly effective.
No book about Nebraska is complete without images of our diverse wildlife, so Olsen includes several very nice shots of Sandhill Cranes, as well as various ducks, eagles, deer and a huge flock of turkeys walking away.
For those who relate better to humans than wildlife, Olsen includes cowboys, a bronc rider, a farmer with draft horses and an elderly couple on a bench with a list of county fair sponsors behind them. But the book is largely about the gorgeous landscapes that await us over the next hill, in the next county or around that bend in the road over yonder.
Some of my favorites include “Round Barn Moon,” a cool moon balanced by warm light from a barn window; “Stable Conditions,” looking down the inside of a stable; “Feigning Interest,” two mules in a corral, “Romancing the Sky,” a gloriously subtle twilight double-truck of the Sandhills in Logan County; “Spinning Dreams,” variations of triple livestock watering tanks and a windmill, are on the dust cover and two inside spreads and I like them all.
One can practically hear the gentle swish of ice donuts rotating into each other in “Walk-In Cooler,” a 2006 winter sunset shot in Harlan County.
“Push Comes to Shove” gives the observer the sense of very different sounds coming from a farmer and a double pair of draft horses and mules working a hay field in Lincoln County.
Olsen not only does the reader a great service by giving the county and date where each photo was produced, but he also includes a Nebraska map showing all the counties. While placing a large red dot or other indicator showing which counties were photographed would be beneficial, it’s not a necessity. (An aside: I’ve lived in Nebraska for 41 years, have traveled over much of the state and I still don’t know all the counties or where each is located. As a result, maps are a great help to me.)
Included in the book are several black and white photos, which appear somewhat jarring after following pages of color. The black and whites are individually strong and indicate that an entire book could be quite successful sans color. A token color shot of the Nebraska State Capitol appearing quite red at twilight could easily be eliminated since no other representative of city life is included.
Also incongruous is “Head of the Class,” a 2007 photo in Box Butte County, of a field of sunflowers against a stark black background, including a black horizon. Such a manipulated photo seems out of place among an otherwise rather straightforward book of images.
Olsen, whose day job is directing a computer department for a large manufacturing firm, drove 34,000 miles over four years while creating the images in his book. He hints that another, or more, photo books might be in the offing. Now that is something for us to anticipate.
If he stopped with this book, heaven forbid, he still would leave us with a treasure-trove of memorable scenes. Since he spends about as much time on photography as he does on his day job, I think we’ll be safe in our anticipation.
One final observation: Across a Wide Horizon was printed in Omaha by Regal Press. Those who think great photo reproduction requires press work in Italy, Japan or Singapore need to take notice of Regal.
This is a highly recommended book that is worthy of anyone’s collection and would be a magnificent gift as well.
Across a Wide Horizon: Discovering the Uncommon Beauty of Nebraska’s Plains
Photography by Jorn C. Olsen
Foreword by Christopher Amundson, publisher & editor, “Nebraska Life” magazine
Dublduc Publishing, Ltd. © 2011
168 ppg., 12.25” x 9.75” $59.95
ISBN ¬ 13-9780983289506 and 10-0983289506
Printed in Nebraska by Regal Printing Co.
Jorn Olsen’s images are available for viewing or purchase at jornolsen.com or at his gallery at 726 W. 2nd, Hastings, NE 68901. 402-262-2811.
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Rising from the Grave
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Next month sees the return of a cherished nature center tradition: the Halloween pumpkin walk, scheduled for October 28-29.
For those unfamiliar with this event, the Enchanted Halloween Trail involves guides taking small groups of people to different nature- or prairie-themed characters. Each actor performs a short skit describing his/her character. (For example, a "prairie chicken" might do his spring dance.) Eight characters are scheduled along a pumpkin-lined trail (impressive when lit up) a little over half-mile in length. (Anyone remember the Man in the Moon from years back? If a working telescope was nearby, that was likely yours truly!) This year's characters are provided by MiShMaSh productions of Hastings.
After completing the trail, visitors will be guided back to the center, where a bag of popcorn and hot chocolate or cider (your choice) await. Additional snacks may be available for sale in our snack bar, and the Crimson Crown gift shop will be open for early holiday shoppers. For more information, check out the flyer image above.
We'll need plenty of volunteers for this event: trail guides in particular, but also trail monitors, snack-bar attendants, pumpkin carvers and a host of others. Interested in volunteering? Additional questions? Please drop me a line at dan(at)nebraskanature.org.
Looking forward to seeing you in October!
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Monarch Madness
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
New adult monarch butterfly on NNVC grounds
On Saturday, September 17, the Nebraska Nature and Visitors Center (NNVC) and Dodge Elementary School in Grand Island team up to present “Monarch Madness.” This monarch butterfly tagging demonstration will begin 1 p.m. and end by 3 p.m. The program is offered free of charge to the public.
Hit the jump to read on...
Monarch butterflies are one of the few insects to migrate with the seasons. Four generations of monarchs are produced per year; three of those live out their entire life cycles in North America, while the fourth makes the fall journey southward. The monarchs in most of North America generally travel to cloud forests in Mexico, with the western population spending winters in coastal California. The migrating generation then makes its way northward in spring and the cycle repeats.
While the journey of the monarchs is justly famous, much remains to be learned about it. How do they find their wintering grounds? To help scientists, amateur entomologists tag monarchs as they migrate, recording when and where the monarch was captured. Tagged monarchs that are later recovered may offer clues as to what routes they use while traveling southward.
Integration Specialist Jan Tell will bring 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students from Dodge Elementary; the students – seasoned monarch-tagging veterans – will show visitors how monarchs are tagged. Visitors are then welcome to try their hand at capturing and tagging. Tagging data will be recorded and sent to Monarch Watch, hosted by the University of Kansas.
NNVC Assistant Director Dan Glomski says, “I remember when clouds of monarchs were visible in the fall just looking from my backyard. Recent numbers are way down partly due to habitat loss, both here and in Mexico. Last year I hardly saw any. This year numbers here look a little better, but are still quite low compared to just a few years ago. It would be a shame to lose this great spectacle of nature. ”
“I'm hoping the data we collect will help bring the monarchs back.”
Located on Interstate 80 at the Alda Road exit #305, the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center exists to provide a place where people of all ages can connect to nature along the Platte River.
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Nice NTV Interview for the Center
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog -
Weekend Wild Walk - River Explore
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
In this summer's final Weekend Wild Walk, we'll take a stroll in the Platte River. Yes, in the river itself! We'll examine the many forms of life we can find along and in the water: amphibians, birds, plants and more. We may take a dip net or two along and see what we can capture. We'll walk from our sandbar between the footbridges to the Alda Road bridge.
The part of the river we'll be strolling is fairly shallow, generally a few inches deep, with occasional spots up to a foot in depth. Wear shorts and a shirt that can wet and dirty; same with footwear -- sandals or old tennis shoes are strongly recommended. (Flip-flops are easily lost and are not recommended.) A towel to dry off is optional.
The walk begins this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and will end no later than 11 a.m. Admission is free, and all ages are invited. The walk will be cancelled if conditions are rainy or stormy. If weather is questionable, please call 308-382-1820 for an update.
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Weekend Wild Walk - Dragonflies
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
The warm summer months have brought dragonflies (and their relatives, the damselflies) out in droves.
North America is home to over 300 species of dragonflies. While dragonfly identification can be confusing, some -- like the female Widow Skimmer above -- are easy, particularly if you can get them to stand still! Dragonflies are indicators of an aquatic ecosystem's health, and they consume many insect pests such as mosquitoes.
In this walk, we'll take a dragonfly field guide, cameras and binoculars into the field and see what dragonflies we can find and ID. We'll take half of the Prairie Loop trail, stop by the pond (dragonfly central right now) and head back. The walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and will last no more than 90 minutes. (Walk distance will be approximately one mile.) The walk is free and all ages are invited to attend.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
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Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center now Certified by Greener Nebraska
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
LINCOLN, NEB. (Aug. 8, 2011)—Eight Nebraska businesses recently earned certification from Greener Nebraska by meeting green performance standards.
The eight businesses qualifying for certification were:
Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center, Wood River
Western Nebraska Segway Experience Center, Scottsbluff
Lincoln Children's Museum, Lincoln
Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon
Green Acres Motel & RV Park, Red Cloud
Best Western Settle Inn, Omaha
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Denton
Mom's Pantry, Ogallala
Greener Nebraska, developed by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division, strives to reduce the tourism industry’s impact on the environment and to attract travelers interested in visiting green destinations. Its certification process previously had been restricted to tourism-related businesses along Nebraska's nine Scenic Byways; the program expanded this year to help businesses across the state become more environmentally friendly.
Now that the program is open to businesses throughout the state, getting certified through Greener Nebraska is a simple and free way to promote your conservation efforts.
Visit our website, GreenerNebraska.org , to learn more about the program and to begin the certification process.
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Weekend Wild Walk - Wildflowers
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Wildflowers are blooming all over our prairie and landscaping. From hoary vervain to black-eyed susans to purple prairie clover (above), we have a lot of beauty out there.
Join us for a look at these and other wildflowers on this Saturday's Weekend Wild Walk, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and wrapping up by 11 a.m. Bring a camera if you have one.
Weekend Wild Walks are free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!
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Weekend Wild Walk - Prairie Seed Collecting
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
This summer, the nature center has been offering our Weekend Wild Walks, held each Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. These walks are designed to introduce people of all ages to the wonders of the prairie and the Platte River.
This coming Saturday, July 9, our wild walk takes us offsite, to the properties of the Nature Conservancy. We'll help the Conservancy collect seed of native prairie plants for use in their restorations. This is a great way to view the prairie up close and begin to learn the plant species that make up this beautiful but still overlooked ecosystem.
We'll meet at the nature center at 9:30 a.m. sharp and caravan or carpool from there. We'll need to leave on time. Please bring work gloves and scissors if you have them; otherwise we can provide these.
Weekend Wild Walks are free of charge and will be offered through August 20. For more information, call us at (308) 382-1820.
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Weekend Wild Walk - Butterflies
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogButterflies are the subject of this Saturday's Weekend Wild Walk. And do we have them in abundance!
Undoubtedly the most conspicuous butterfly out there now -- and often sought-after by visitors from elsewhere -- is the regal fritillary. According to Butterflies of North America by Brock and Kaufman, "This well-named regal creature is one of North America's vanishing butterflies," having disappeared from much of their former range, particularly east of the Mississippi River. Fortunately for them -- and for us -- regal fritillaries are doing quite well in Nebraska.
While regals are quite obvious, closer looks reveal plenty of smaller butterflies too. I had to wait for these fulvia (?) checkerspots to calm down, but they finally stood still long enough for me to take their picture. [Butterfly experts can correct me on the ID if I'm wrong.]
So what about that most famous of butterflies, the monarch? Sadly, I've seen only one on the prairie all year, despite plenty of milkweed (their larval plant). Clearly, they are having trouble here as well as on their wintering grounds in Mexico.
The walk begins at the nature center at 9:30 Saturday morning and wraps up by 11. We encourage participants to bring cameras and binoculars (though these are not required). Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Hope to see you there!
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Dan talks about telescopes and stargazing.
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogDan had a chance to talk about telescopes this morning on NTV Good Life Program. Here's a post in case you missed it.
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Weekend Wild Walk - Animal Tracks
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWe know a lot of critters run around the nature center grounds, in our prairie and along the river. Deer and rabbits are quite commonly seen, and we've encountered the occasional skunk (luckily, not too close).
Yet, we know a lot more animal life exists here: fox, otter, coyote, bobcats and others are all possibilities. While we rarely if ever directly see these, we've know some of these are present -- partly through the "fingerprints" they leave behind in the form of tracks.
During this Saturday's Weekend Wild Walk, our good friend Blake Hatfield will take us on a search for those tracks. What will we find? Show up at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and let's find out!
Admission to the Weekend Wild Walks is free of charge, though donations are greatly appreciated. Visitors of all ages are invited to attend.
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday morning!
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Weekend Wild Walks
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogThis Saturday, June 18th, the nature center offers our first Weekend Wild Walk. These Saturday morning walks begin 9:30a and end by 11a and are free of charge (though we won't turn down donations!). The theme for this walk is breeding birds at the nature center; we'll look for five or six species, such as this dickcissel.
One bird much sought-after by visitors is the bobolink. This year, we're hosting at least a couple, and we have a good chance of seeing them. They have a beautiful bubbly song.
Please bring binoculars and bird ID guides if you have them; if not, we'll have at least one pair of binoculars to borrow.
Weekend Wild Walks will be held every Saturday morning through August 20. We'll highlight a different aspect of the prairie and river each week.
Looking forward to seeing you!
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Nature Center Offers Weekend Wild Walks for Summer
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogPress release June 7, 2011
The Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center (NNVC) is pleased to offer summertime "Weekend Wild Walks" for families.
Every Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. beginning June 18 through August 20 visitors are invited to take in nature along our trails, within our woods and near or even in the Platte River! Each walk will have a theme: birds, butterflies, wildflowers, amphibians, the Platte River are all themes we will explore.
The center will announce the theme for each walk 2-3 days in advance, via the Green Shoe diaries blog, accessible from NNVC's website (www.nebraskanature.org ). Updates will also be available from Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center’s Facebook page. According to NNVC Assistant Director Dan Glomski, "This way we can keep an eye on the prairie and the river to see what's especially striking at a certain time, and offer visitors a chance to experience it firsthand. If we see lots of wildflowers blooming or regal fritillary butterflies out and about, we have a theme for that Saturday's walk. A drop in river levels would allow us to get in the river and look for frogs and toads that weekend."
"Speaking of the river, we could get a bit wet with some of these activities, and we'll let folks know if they need to dress accordingly."
Glomski emphasizes these walks are for families; children under the age of 13 must come with a parent or guardian.
Weekend Wild Walks start at 9:30 a.m. and end around 11:00 a.m. While admission to the walks is free, donations are greatly appreciated.
In addition to monitoring the center's blog and Facebook page, visitors may call (308) 382-1820 for more information.
Located on the I-80 Alda exit 305, the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center exists to provide a place where people of all ages can connect to nature along the Platte River.
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Butterfly Homes and Gardens
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogAfter Crane Meadows Nature Center unveiled its new facility around 2003, staff and volunteers -- including the Family Campers and RVers (FCRV) -- planted a butterfly garden. The garden was designed to provide food sources (i.e. leaves and stems) desirable to butterfly larvae, while adults would probe flowers for nectar.
Sadly, between that time and the nature center's reopening and renaming in 2009, the garden had gone largely to weeds, with only a scattering of survivors remaining from the previous planting. Clearly, the garden was in a need of a renovation.
Butterfly garden before renovation. Weeds, particularlysmooth brome, had largely overtaken the area.
Sandy and Ken Kendall of FCRV informed me of a grant opportunity for wildlife, and encouraged me to apply. As the butterfly garden replanting seemed a perfect fit for the grant, I applied and, with Sandy and Ken's help, received $700.00 for new plants.
The nature center organized a garden committee in part to redesign the garden. After research, native prairie plants beneficial to butterflies were chosen and ordered from Bluebird Nursery in Clarkson, NE. Most of the existing garden was sprayed with Roundup, saving as many surviving desirable plants as possible.
By planting day on May 14, everything was in place: plants, mulch, and volunteers from FCRV and the garden committee. In three hours, the garden was in place, with new plants firmly tucked into new homes. Looks great!
FRCV volunteers comprised most of the planters on a chilly, breezy May afternoon
Dr. Will Locke loves to garden
Special thanks go out to all the wonderful volunteers at FCRV for making this project happen, and to the nature center's garden committee for the planning and help. I can't wait to watch the butterflies show up as the plants grow and thrive. Here's hoping a few monarchs find it passing through this fall!
The friendly and helpful folks who volunteeredmost of a Saturday afternoon to plant. Thank you!
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Mountain Lions in Nebraska
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWith the recent Mountain lion dispatch in Kearney, I thought it might be good to post the Game and Parks informational video on the topic.
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Summer Day Camp Announced at the Center
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogThis summer, the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center partners with Nebraska 4-H Camps and the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) to bring an exciting and educational day camp for children ages 8-11. The four day camp runs from July 11 through July 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here to register for this camp.
The camps include a blend of nature activities with traditional 4-H offerings such as archery and team-building exercises. Add a dash of art and science and stir. The fee is just $115 per child!
"Last summer's day camp was an absolute blast," NNVC program coordinator Dan Glomski says. "Everyone -- kids, counselors, and adults alike -- had a lot of fun. We're already receiving calls from parents whose children participated last year. "
"The nature center is a perfect venue for 4-H activities. The river and prairie literally in our backyard offer limitless possibilities for teaching all kinds of topics. And the partnership with 4-H and MONA brings a lot of experience into our day camps."
Some snacks are included in the cost; parents/guardians must provide each child with a sack lunch for each day. Children should also wear clothing that can get dirty and/or wet. A signed release form is required for all participants.
Space in day camp is limited to 20 children, and parents are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. For more information, call 308 382-1820 to register.
Located on the I-80 Alda exit 305, the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center exists to provide a place where people of all ages can connect to nature along the Platte River. Go to www.nebraskanature.org for more information.
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Press Release from the Nebraska Environmental Trust
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogNebraska Nature Visitor Center Receives Grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust
Lincoln, NE – April 7, 2011 – Nebraska Nature Visitor Center announced today that it will receive $60,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for “Educating a New Generation of Environmentally Committed Nebraskans”. The Trust Board announced funding for the project at its meeting on April 7, 2011 in Lincoln. This is the final year of award. The project is one of the 94 projects receiving $15,412,788 in grant awards from the Nebraska Environmental Trust this year.
Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center near Alda, Nebraska requested a $240,000 grant, payable over three years, as part of an overall plan to re-open the Visitor's Center, hire personnel and offer educational programming, resources, and exhibits for Nebraskans and visitors from throughout the world. Through public/private collaborations with schools, environmental organizations, and ecologically-minded corporations, the Center will inform and educate the public in potentially all five focus areas of the Nebraska Environmental Trust: habitat, surface and ground water, waste management, air quality, and soil management. Matching funds have been obtained from four partner organizations (Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, Hastings College, and Johnson Family Foundation) and have developed a sound and cost-effective business plan to ensure the Center's long-term sustainability.
The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $172 million in grants to 1,292 projects across the state. Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for funding to protect habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.
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Report: Chicken & Stars 2011
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogOur second annual Chicken & Stars tour is a wrap!
On Friday, ten participants gathered at Sandhills Motel in Mullen, then headed off to Cattleman's Restaurant in Seneca for a great meal. Dr. Paul Johnsgard gave a wonderful presentation on the greater prairie chicken.
During dinner, I took frequent peaks at the sky, wondering if we would see many -- or any -- stars that night. Forecasts earlier that week had not sounded promising. But the clouds did indeed part; in fact, the sky was almost perfectly clear by observing time! The stars were magnificent, with the zodiacal light (the "false dawn" created by dust in the plane of the Solar System scattering sunlight) easily visible in the west. I know a couple of us would have stayed out longer, but a cold wind and the excitement of prairie chickens next morning was too much to handle.
Created through sunlight-scattering dust, the zodiacal light is visible only from dark locations
Early Saturday morning, we stumbled out to the bus that would take us to the prairie chicken booming ground. Here the males inflate their air sacs, stamp their feet, and defend their territory against other males -- all efforts to attract hens with which to mate. At least four hens visited, putting the boys into a frenzy. We saw several attempted matings -- attempted because every time a male would try to mate, he would be knocked off the female by other males. (Perhaps this is why the hens refused to leave, which they normally do after fertilization.) Eventually the chickens outlasted us, as that wind had put a big chill on just about every participant. But what a show!
Male prairie chickens battle for territory
After a hearty breakfast at a local coffee shop, a few folks had to head back home for Easter, while others explored the area. Four of us drove towards Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, viewing ducks, geese, cormorants, pelicans, teal, shrikes and many other birds. (And we can tell you which road NOT to take through the refuge!)
Cinnamon teal
Following dinner Saturday night, the remaining participants hopped on the bus Easter morning to witness the mating ritual of the sharptail grouse -- similar in purpose to the prairie chicken, but much different in form. On this cold and drizzly morning, no sharptail hens appeared on the dancing grounds; as a result, the male sharptails were not as active as they can be. Even so, it was a fine display.
Male sharptail grouse displaying
With minds full of memories and storage cards loaded with images, those who had remained for the sharptails headed home.
The nature center extends a big Thank You to those who took the trip. Special thanks go out to Mitch and Patti Glidden of Sandhills Motel for their wonderful hospitality, and Dr. Paul Johnsgard for his company and vast knowledge of grassland grouse.
Mitch Glidden
Dr. Paul Johnsgard
Next year's Chicken & Stars tour is scheduled for the weekend of April 14. Mark your calendars!
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Nebraska Prairie Chicken Weekend Report April, 2011
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogClick’n with Chickens wrap-up report:
We returned from our Click’n with Chickens weekend Sunday afternoon. It was a great outting and was enjoyed by all. The idea was to provide a great prairie chicken viewing opportunity while getting a photo workshop at the same time. I know that I learned a lot of great new information that will help me to be a better photographer. The event was held at the Switzer Ranch located eleven miles north of Burwell, Nebraska.
Our journey started on Saturday morning when Dan Glomski and I decided to check out the prairie chicken viewing at the Taylor Ranch, located northwest of Grand Island. We were joined by Blake Hatfield at about 7:30 a.m. on One R Road where we found a lot of booming activity. It was foggy, limiting visibility, but the booming sounds were very easily recognized. We could make out the ghost-like sillouettes of the birds as the male birds strutted around and did their best to impress and intimidate their fellow courters on the lek (booming ground).
While viewing the birds we stayed on the county road and it was important to keep and eye and ear pen for cars, as they do pass through at high speed. If you go, be sure to park safely off to the side so oncoming traffic can see you.
We ran into several other bird watchers that morning. Some were in the Nature Center the day before and the other car was none other than CPNRD biologist Mark Czaplewski, who was out with his family watching the birds. Mark said he has been watching birds at this location for more then twenty years.
Hit the more button to read further.
After Dannebrog, we made our way up Highway 11 to Burwell. Along the way, Blake pointed out various places where he had been during his many raptor recovery missions to recover various injured birds. Blake knows where all the eagles nests are located along the Loup River. We had planned to meet our group at the Sandstone Grill located on the town square in Burwell, but we arrived early so we took a short walk around the square. Dan spotted a copy of the Grand Island Independent that featured a photo on the front page of the hooded crane that has been seen around the Alda area in the previous weeks. I noticed that the photo was taken by photographer Tom Mangelsen. It was pretty cool to see crane viewing hit the front page of the local paper. We all agreed it was big news for sure.
After our walk, we still had time ot kill so we decide to head up the the Calamus Lake and see what we could see before meeting at the grill. We made our way up to the driveway of our hosts, the Calamus Outfitters, where an active eagles' nest is located. We quickly set up the spotting scope and saw a bald eagle sitting on the nest. It is amazing to me just how large those nests are. We were more then a ¼ mile away so photography was difficult, but I could easily see myself watching this nest, if time would allow, for hours or even days.
Bruce Switzer was in his pickup talking with a neighbor and came across the road to say hello. We were telling him we would be out after lunch when another car pulled up with Alan Bartels of Nebraska Life Magazine and photographer Tom Mangelsen. They had just been out viewing prairie chickens that morning and were headed back to Grand Island. I pointed out to Tom that his photo had made the front page. You just never know who you might see on a back road in the sandhills of Nebraska.
Our lunch at the grill was excellent and was the perfect launch point for a weekend of photography and bird watching with friends.
When we arrived at the Switzers, we checked into our rooms and then had a two hour photography training session on all things photography. Randy Hampton was our primary instructor. Randy has a great ability to relate complex concepts in such a way that they are understandable. We covered exposure and techniques that were all useable in the field. The next part of the plan was to put Randy's teaching into action.
A ranch tour by an open top Jeep is one of the offerings that we chose to get the group outside. It was a perfect way to spend the middle portion of the day. If you have never travelled through the sandhills portion of Nebraska, it is truly a magical place that is a wide open landscape, best experienced by riding out into the pastures.
The Click’n Chicken for me is a closing to the busy spring migration and tour season that occurs. I can not think of a better way to culminate the season than to sit on top of a dune in the sandhills with a 360 degree panarama that is punctuated with migrating sandhill cranes making their way to their nesting grounds. Though the sandhill cranes are not named for Nebraska’s sandhills, they are so at home there that they certainly could have been.
After the tour, we relaxed a bit on the porch of the bunkhouse and waited for dinner. I had a chance to catch up with John Murphy, a friend of mine who was at the ranch with a group of his friends. John is a fantastic birder with a real heart for sharing the beauty of birding with anyone willing to look through his venerable Leica spotting scope. He had that scope trained on that nesting bald eagle and was quick to let anyone take a glace before supper.
Supper at the Ranch included a healthy portion of beef brisket and a friendly dose of conversation followed by a short story by our host, Bruce. After supper it was back to the bunkhouse for a brief session on how to set our cameras for the morning bird watching.
We met for coffee at 6 a.m. and then were loaded into a school bus for a ten minute ride out to the prairie chicken lek to view the birds. We had a short walk up a hill that was lit by the headlights of our bus and we then found our way into the viewing blind. The blind was a modified school bus with blacked out windows on the back side and open windows on the bird viewing side of the bus.
We each found our way to a seat and then settled into the hurry up and wait mode of wildlife viewing. This reminded me of the many sandhill crane viewing tours I have been on. It wasn’t long before the sounds of the booming chickens began to fill the blind. I was able to make out the shapes of birds dancing in the pre-dawn darkness. A few photographers shot a frame or two in the dark, just because.
It wasn’t long before the sunrise came and the birds were active booming and strutting. I would have liked to see a little more light on the lek, but it was an overcast making the scene a bit dark for the camera and lens combination that I had. I did take some photos, but really enjoyed the show and the people more than making images that morning. It was good.
After the viewing, we made our way back to the ranch for a hearty breakfast. We wrapped it up with a look at the photos and some instruction on how to process the images and Randy answered questions as to why things looked the way they did.
As we left, we stopped by the Calamus reservoir and watched the thousands of white pelicans that have been staging there as they migrate north. What a sight! When we got back to the Nature Center, Dan and I then searched for the rare hooded crane that Mangelsen had photographed a few days earlier. We were fortunate to be able to see it before heading home.
We are now looking forward to our next trip to the hills to view chickens with author and ornithologist Dr. Paul Johnsgard. We will be going to the Sandhills Motel in Mullen Nebraska. We've dubbed it Chicken and Stars. I can’t wait.
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Snapshots from the Past Week at the Center
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWine tasting. Cedar Hills Vineyard.
Jane Goodall enjoys the cranes.
Tom Mangelsen, Jane Goodall and Brad Mellema enjoy the migration.
Alice and Karen work in the snack bar.
Dan keeps an eye on a busy front desk.
Shirley and Ginny in the gift shop.
Dan gives a crane talk to a weekend group.
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Whooper Watch Training Session Offered
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
18 March 2011
The Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center in partnership with The Crane Trust offers a Whooper Watch training session for volunteers to search for and observe highly endangered whooping cranes as they pass through Nebraska. The training session will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25th at the Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center. The session is free and open to the general public.
Around mid-April, small families of whooping cranes stop along the river and in the Rainwater Basin to feed and rest on their way from Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to nesting grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta and adjacent Northwest Territories. Once numbering perhaps a few thousand birds in pre-settlement times, whooping cranes were decimated by wetland loss and plumage hunters. Only 15 birds remained in the 1940's. Intensive recovery efforts have allowed this lone wild flock to grow slowly to an estimated 280 birds. If this recovery is to continue, biologists need to know more about their habits during migration. Why do they stop regularly at certain locations and not others? What do they eat while in Nebraska? Trained volunteers can help scientists answer these and other questions.
“Whooper Watch is a great example of citizen science, in which ordinary people can make valid scientific contributions,” according to NNVC Assistant Director Dan Glomski. “While seeing a whooper and reporting its behavior is obviously exciting, negative observations – that is to say, not seeing a bird – are valuable too.”
Those interested in becoming Whooper Watchers are encouraged to attend the training. For further information, please contact Dan Glomski at NNVC or Dr. Karine Gil at 308-384-4633 x 111.
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Join Us This Weekend at the Center..
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries BlogWe are now open every day 8a.m. to 6p.m.
The Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center is a must stop when your in the area for sandhill crane and outdoor activities. Our Wild About Nebraska Event Series kicks into high gear this week with the following events and happenings.
Guided crane viewing tours every day. Click here for more information.
Saturday March 12
We will be featuring Dr. Paul Johnsgard at 1 p.m. who will be speaking about his recently published book "Sandhill and Whooping Cranes: Ancient Voices over Americas Wetlands".
Brian “Fox” Ellis will perform “Animal Tales” program. 2 p.m.
Brian “Fox” Ellis is a performer and storyteller who will entertain the entire family. He has performed across the country in the character of John-James Audubon, Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Darwin.
Jorn Olsen will be signing his photo new book “Across a Wide Horizon”. 11 a.m.
Landscape Photographer Jorn Olsen will be signing his new book “Across a Wide Horizon”.
Cedar Hill Vineyard & Gardens wine tasting 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Check out these Nebraska Grown Wines from Cedar Hills Vineyard!
Brianna: Created from the sweet Brianna grape with flavors of pineapple and a finish of pumpkin spice.
Annevar Blush: This wine is flavorful and delicate, yet fruity in quality with a charming bouquet. Delightfully delicious!
Taste these and many more of Nebraska’s great wines!
Sunday, March 13
David Freeman will be speaking about his new book “Implementing the Endangered Species Act on the Platte Basin Water Commons” 1 p.m.
David Freeman has followed the formation of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and has written a book that chronicles the program from inception to implementation. He will be discussing the program and signing copies of his new book.
Joe Duff Operation Migration pilot . 2 p.m.
Joe Duff is the Chief Executive Officer for Operation Migration and over the past 10 years has led Whooping cranes in migration for a combined distance of more than 13,000 miles. In 2010, Duff’s personal aircraft went on permanent display beneath the nose of the Concord at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Joe will be presenting a multi-media program about Operation Migration.
And looking ahead to March Saturday, March 26. Calling all wildlife photographers!
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Artist Cynthia Duff and Tricia Moon-Beem reception Saturday March 5
» Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center - Green Shoe Diaries Blog
Artist Cynthia Duff dropped of some of her paintings yesterday. We have them displayed in our Hornady Art Gallery. Cynthia and writer Tricia Moon-Beem will be at an artist reception this Saturday at the Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center from 1-3p.m. With the backdrop of the spring sandhill crane migration it promises to be a great time. There is no charge and it open to the general public.
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