14 2019 Annual Report
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Outreach and Education
S T A T E P A R K S E N G A G E P E O P L E I N T H E
O U T D O O R S
Our parks are at the heart of many Nebraskans' lives. They provide the perfect place for people to get
in touch with nature, explore the outdoors and find new outdoor pursuits. Over the past decade, the
Commission has dramatically expanded its educational offerings at our 76 state parks and recreation areas.
Park naturalists plan educational and recreational events to draw new visitors to our parks, while teaching
outdoor skills. Popular events include outdoor expos attended by more than 60,000 people; and outdoor
discovery programs that introduce more than 5,000 fourth and fifth graders to hands-on activities such as
outdoor cooking, kayaking, fishing, and shooting sports. Bioblitzes invite the public to come count unique
species. Guided hiking tours and horse rides give people the chance to see parts of the state they would
not otherwise have. Fishing clinics and family fishing events introduce thousands to the sport of fishing.
Special events such as Halloween trick-or-treating, Winterfest and Classic Christmas bring people together
to create family memories.
Indian Cave State Park's bioblitz participants went on walks with biologists to help identify as many species of living things in
the park as possible.
