OutdoorNebraska

ebraska's Natural Legacy includes hawks and herons, bats and butterflies, turtles and tree frogs, milkweeds and milk snakes, and almost everything in between. Nebraska is a beautiful, interesting and unique place in part because of our wildlife. About 98% of the thousands of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants are considered "nongame" species in Nebraska because they are not hunted, trapped or fished. By law, revenue from hunting and fishing licenses cannot be spent on "nongame" species, so the Wildlife Conservation Fund was created. The Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund connects people to nature through education. It is the state's primary source of funding for the research and habitat restoration necessary to ensure that spectacular nongame species, such as the whooping crane, river otter, and blowout penstemon thrive in Nebraska. By supporting the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund with a tax-deductible donation, you are taking an active part in conserving our state's diverse wildlife and our natural legacy for future generations. 2019 Newsletter from the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund You can make the difference Remember our wildlife and the wild places that we want future generations to enjoy. Make sure to "check" for wildlife on your state tax return. Look for the peregrine falcon symbol and donate all or a portion of your tax refund to the Wildlife Conservation Fund. You can also donate throughout the year by calling (402) 471-0641 or online at NebraskaWildlifeFund .org All donations are fully tax deductible and WILD PLACES Peregrine falcon SAVING WILDLIFE PHOTO BY MIKE FORSBERG PENSTEMON PHOTO BY JON FARRAR ebr haw turt mil in b interesting and u N Milkweed By Mercy Dinwiddie, National Wildlife Federation more than just monarchs T he Monarch is Nebraska's most iconic pollinator. Their striking orange and black wings that carry them to their overwintering grounds in the central Mexican Highlands helped earn them this title. It is in Nebraska, however, where they lay their eggs on very special prairie wildflowers - milkweeds. These distinctive plants are the monarch's host plant, the only plants where monarchs can develop from egg to adult butterfly. The monarch larvae consume milkweeds' sappy leaves and consequently, sequester special proteins (cardenolides) that make them toxic to some birds and other predators. Therefore, milkweeds are essential to their lifecycle and serve as a lasting defense as they continue their migration. This toxicity, however, does not protect them from all dangers. Monarch populations have decreased by approximately 84% over the past twenty years. One major factor in their decline Continued on page 2

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