OutdoorNebraska

30 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2016 Annual Report O U T R E A C H T O D I V E R S E A U D I E N C E S Outreach to audiences that traditionally have been underserved in outdoor recreation is important to Game and Parks. Among the outreach efforts to these groups in 2016: The Hunter Education Team initiated a Spanish Hunter Education Class at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in September. The class was designed to reach Spanish speaking customers in an effort to remove language barriers to hunting. The class was a success and we plan to expand partnerships into this community. In August, Fisheries Division staff delivered a presentation to Omaha's Lutheran Family Services Cultural Orientation class for refugees who have recently arrived in the United States. More than 50 adults and 13 children attended the presentation, and seven interpreters translated the presentation in the following languages: Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Karen, Karenni, Nepali, Somali and Swahili. The presentation covered an introduction to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska's fishing regulations, fishing opportunities in the Omaha metro area and where to find fishing and hunting information online and in print. For the fifth year, a special family camp for families who are deaf or hard of hearing was held at Platte River State Park. The 22 children and 19 adults in attendance experienced fishing, kayaking, Dutch oven cooking, archery, trap shooting and horse trail rides, among other activities. N E B R A S K A C E L E B R A T E S M I G R A T O R Y B I R D S The International Migratory Bird Treaty marked its centennial in 2016. This historic agreement arranged for the conservation of bird species throughout prairies, wetlands, forests and farmland across North and South America. Although International Migratory Bird Month is celebrated annually in Nebraska, the goal of the 2016 event was to impress the importance of birds and their conservation on Nebraska's ecosystems and economy. More than 48 events were held in 27 communities across the state. Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation declaring May as Nebraska Migratory Bird Month, and Lt. Gov. Mike Foley attended a children's birding festival at a Lincoln elementary school. SPECIAL FAMILY CAMP FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING AT PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK LT. GOVERNOR MIKE FOLEY ATTENDS A BIRDING FESTIVAL IN LINCOLN

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