OutdoorNebraska

OutdoorNebraska.org 2021-103946 ds 11/22 Writer/Coordinator – Grace Gaard and Ted LaGrange Editor – Renae Blum Illustrations/Design – Donna Schimonitz Front Cover: A great blue heron slowly wades into the still waters of a wetland. Photo by Dakota Altman. Back Cover: Damselfly at sunset. Photo by Dakota Altman. By Ted LaGrange Ted LaGrange at the Little South Fork Marsh Reserve. Brooke Talbott I have had a passion for nature and being outdoors for as long as I can remember. Although my parents helped to encourage this, it was further fueled by exploring my backyard, neighborhood, and a nearby small creek. As I got a little older, I ventured out further and explored areas along the river and a wildlife area just outside of town. While in grade school, I decided that I wanted to be a veterinarian, because I loved animals. In junior high, I learned that there was a career called a fish and wildlife biologist, and thought that would be the perfect fit for me. I further narrowed my focus to wanting to work with wetlands, because I loved being in such magical places, and I had also developed an interest in duck hunting. This interest in wetlands and wildlife never waned, and I went to college and earned a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. I was able to do short-term wildlife work in a number of amazing locations, including Oregon, New York, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. Here in Nebraska, I am the Wetland Program Manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. I work across the entire state and get to help farmers, ranchers, and our other partners work on wetland conservation projects, help scientists learn more about wetlands, and help to share the stories of the importance of these valuable places. What I love about my job is that I get to work with a wide variety of people who care deeply about what they do, and together we work to accomplish projects that will conserve our wetlands for future generations. Address correspondence to: Grace Gaard Nebraska Game and Parks Commission P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370, or email grace.gaard@nebraska.gov. Published by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE. First Edition • Copyright 2022. Exploring the Outdoors Leads to Dream Career ANSWERS: P. 6 - A. Cell phone charger; B. Baby bottle; C. Sponge; D. Strainer; E. Groceries; F. Binoculars; G. Home. P. 12 - TIGER SALAMANDER, GREAT BLUE HERON, WATER STRIDER, BLANDING'S TURTLE, BEAVER, BLUEGILL. P. 13 - CATTAIL, SALTWORT, SWAMP MILKWEED, ALGAE, ARROWHEAD, COTTONWOOD. SUN ALGAE COTTONWOOD OTTER WILLOW BEAVER PIKE (fish) MOSQUITO LARVAE HUMAN HERON DRAGONFLY NYMPH FROG Wetland Energy Flow Chart The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, facility, or service, should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-0641, the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-2024, TTY/ TDD 800-642-6112; Director, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. This was printed as a part of the Wetlands of Nebraska Outreach and Education project. Funding for this project was provided by the following: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (grant CD# 97770101), Ducks Unlimited, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Although the information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. EPA under assistance agreement CD9777010 to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, it has not been subjected to the Agency's publications review process and therefore, may not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. 2 — WETLANDOLOGY: A Kid's Book About Wetlands

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