OutdoorNebraska

5 N ebraska's wetlands are very diverse, and although they cover only a small portion of Nebraska, their contribution to wildlife conservation is immense. Wetlands are hotspots for biodiversity and provide important habitat for 50% of our birds and plants, 100% of our amphibians and fish, a third of our mammals and reptiles, and 70% of our threatened or endangered species. Less well known, but certainly as important, are the benefits that wetlands serve in improving water quality, recharging groundwater, sequestering carbon, protecting us from flood damage, and providing places to recreate. In many places, Nebraska's wetlands have suffered losses and face ongoing threats putting their benefits at risk. Yet there are reasons to be hopeful as landowners and other conservation partners throughout the state are collaborating to better conserve wetlands. Surprisingly, many people are not very familiar with Nebraska's wetlands, the benefits they provide, and the stories about their conservation. To address this, the Wetlands of Nebraska Outreach and Education project was recently completed. It was led by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and funded primarily by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Partners helping with grant implementation included: the Platte Basin Timelapse (PBT) group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and Ducks Unlimited. The goal was to increase awareness of the importance of wetlands in Nebraska and to grow an understanding of the need for wetland conservation. The new products available include: • Five feature films about Nebraska's wetlands and the wildlife and people that depend on them --- Sandhills, Playas, Saline, Riverine, and Urban. The films were produced by the talented Platte Basin Timelapse team at UNL, and will take you on a journey across Nebraska. You will meet some interesting characters and have a chance to see some scenes and wildlife that few people get to experience. • A shorter overview film. • Five Esri StoryMaps --- Sandhills, Playas, Saline, Riverine, and Urban. • An updated Guide to Nebraska's Wetlands and their Conservation Needs publication. • A new booklet for kids entitled Wetlandology. • Two educational videos and paired lesson plans about plant adaptations and animal engineers that were developed specifically for classroom use. Please visit www.NebraskaWetlands.com to check out these amazing new products and stories. You will be pleasantly surprised by what you discover. 4 An American Avocet (top) and a Black-necked Stilt (bottom) – both in a playa wetland taken by the Platte Basin Timelapse for the Wetlands of Nebraska Outreach project. PHOTOS BY ETHAN FREESE By Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission New Publications and Films Focus on Nebraska's Amazing Wetlands

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