OutdoorNebraska

6 W e conserve what we understand and appreciate. For the past eight years, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) has hosted an annual Nebraska Natural Legacy Conference to bring together conservationists, students, landowners and others who have a keen interest in Nebraska's wildlife, especially at-risk species. The conference is an opportunity for individuals to learn about management, research, monitoring and other issues related to wildlife and their habitats in the state. The conference is held every fall with the most recent one taking place at the Ainsworth Community Center in September. The conference's location is held in a different region of the state each year in order to reach new communities and feature various native habitats and conservation projects. The Ainsworth meeting began with Dr. Craig Allen, the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Leader, delivering an enlightening keynote presentation: Are Nebraska's Biologically Unique Landscapes sustainable? New insights and new directives. More than 30 other presenters spoke on topics ranging from tracking trumpeter swans to surveying for glacial- relict fish species in Nebraska streams. Kristal Stoner, former Wildlife Diversity Program Manager at the NGPC, presented the Natural Legacy Conservation Award to Bill Whitney of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute for his partnership efforts restoring and preserving native prairies and environmental education programs. Paula Hoppe, a Nebraska Master Naturalist volunteer, was also recognized for her communication and educational contributions to promote at-risk species conservation; while Stoner was recognized for her many years of service to the Legacy Project. Lindsay Ohlman, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska, received the best student presentation award for her project Survival and growth of Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium), a freshwater mussel, in response to frequent sampling. At the conference's conclusion, participants grabbed a sack lunch and headed out for field trips. One group went to The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve while the other went to the conservation-friendly Frank Ranch located in the Sandhills west of Bassett. The Niobrara Valley Preserve offered an opportunity to see riparian and oak woodland enhancement projects and how prescribed fire and bison grazing are being used to manage Sandhills prairie. Members of the Frank Ranch tour learned how the Franks are using prescribed fire and cattle grazing to enhance wet meadow and prairie habitats. The Nebraska Environmental Trust and Wildlife Conservation Fund have helped make this conference possible. Planning for next year's Legacy Conference in western Nebraska is already underway. If you would like information about future Nebraska Natural Legacy Project conferences, please contact the author at Melissa. Panella@Nebraska.gov. ✔ Nebraska's Natural Legacy Conference coming to a city near you By Melissa J. Panella, Wildlife Biologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Natural Legacy Conference participants Mercy Dinwiddie (left) and Melissa Panella (right) observe bison on The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve. ted to wildlife s in the ce ation t i how and and a i N ple Pan PHOTOS BY JUSTIN HAAG

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