OutdoorNebraska

2018 Annual Report • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 3 Dear partner in conservation: In 2018, the breadth of work of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was tremendous, encompassing everything from upgrading campgrounds and infrastructure at our state parks, to habitat improvement projects benefitting a range of species, to fish stockings, to public education events across the state. It was expansive, taking place in every single one of Nebraska's 93 counties. It was, as our work always is, critical to the health and vitality of Nebraska's natural resources. In all that we did in 2018, we kept our eye on the horizon, which is as essential now as ever. The world of outdoor recreation is rapidly changing. Park visitors expect to find unique activities that are challenging, memorable and allow them to experience nature in a way they haven't before. Campers want well-maintained campsites with modern and wide-ranging amenities. Hunters, both in Nebraska and nationally, are aging, and younger people are opting to hunt less often or not at all. In order to remain relevant, our agency must evolve. So we have. Our evolution in 2018 began with the unveiling of five major features completed as part of the Venture Parks Initiative, an unprecedented public-private partnership that reimagines what our state parks can be. The new features include glamping cabins, a treetop ropes course, a floating playground, two-tiered spray park and more. These features were immediately wildly popular with park guests. It was thrilling to see that this effort to appeal to a new audience – one younger and more urban – was successful. But Venture Parks are just one step in the journey of ensuring the continued relevance of outdoor recreation in Nebraska. For years, national participation in hunting and fishing has been in decline. The prevalence of hunting and fishing – and access to quality, public places to engage in these activities – is an important part of our identity as Nebraskans. Additionally, participation in hunting and fishing is critical to the health of our state's fish and wildlife populations. The sale of hunting permits and stamps funds conservation efforts, which means that continued participation in these activities is essential to our ability to complete projects and research that benefit wildlife and wild places. In May of 2018, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission hosted the first ever national summit on declining participation in hunting and fishing, which drew hundreds of participants from across the nation. We also piloted several innovative programs to make hunting more accessible to college students. We greatly increased the amount of land enrolled in our Open Fields and Waters program, which offers financial incentives to landowners who open their land to public walk-in access for hunting and fishing. We have much more work to do to recruit, reactivate and retain our hunters and anglers, but seeking out thoughtful, innovative and ultimately effective ways to do so will remain a priority in 2019 and beyond. The world of outdoor recreation will continue to change rapidly. We will continue to look to the future and to anticipate the needs and desires of hunters, anglers and park visitors. We will strive to be flexible, creative and forward-thinking. While our challenges will change over time, one thing will remain constant: Our commitment to conserving our fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources. Sincerely, FROM THE DIRECTOR James N. Douglas

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