OutdoorNebraska

6 sat at a card table in the shade of Beattie Elementary cradling Sally, a tiger salamander, for children to see and touch. It was hot the evening of the Beattie Elementary nature night this past September. I misted Sally with water occasionally to keep her comfortable and her skin moist. Children's eyes sparkled as they timidly touched the yellow and black amphibian. They said she felt slick or even a little like plastic. They pulled their siblings and friends over to the table to see her. Lucy Wacker, aged 8 at the time, was my special assistant, answering questions about Sally and other amphibians on the table. Lucy's mother, Wildlife Education Specialist Lindsay Rogers, brought all the creatures for the nature night. On another occasion, near Halloween, I spent time with campers at Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area to place a dozen traps in a densely- foliaged area. We placed cotton balls in the traps, so the small creatures could cuddle up to them to keep warm. We scattered bird seed and oatmeal to lure them into the traps. It was still dark the next morning when we checked the traps. In the last one, an Ord Kangaroo rat, which looks like a mouse with a long tail, had taken the bait. The cute little guy searched for an escape as several pairs of human eyes stared down at him. After a few minutes, we let him go exactly where we'd found him. Another adventure entailed brushing a bit of orange phosphorescent powder on a few plants with a paintbrush during the day. Once night fell, we used a black light to witness the unfolding of a nighttime painting: pollinators' microscopic footprints glittered orange on a wide swath of foliage. It was evidence of the important ecological service of pollination. Watching wonder light up children's faces is magical. Delving into the realm of science is an adventure. Sharing in the learning about nature promotes passion to protect it. Becoming a Master Naturalist is indeed a richly-layered experience. ✔ The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program provides training for interested citizens to learn about Nebraska's rich natural resources and opportunities to contribute to their conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Fund proudly supports the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program. To learn more, visit http://snr. unl.edu/naturalist/ The Journey of a Master Naturalist By Joanie Cradick, Master Naturalist Remember to Just Click Since 1984, the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund has been saving wildlife and wild places through habitat restoration, research and education. The Wildlife Conservation Fund is entirely funded through tax-deductible donations. Here are just a couple ways to support the Wildlife Conservation Fund. 1) Support with just a click, simply visit www.NebraskaWildlifeFund.org to make a donation. 2) Remember the Wildlife Conservation Fund when you are doing your taxes. Taxpayers should look for the peregrine falcon symbol on your tax form to make a contribution. Ord's Kangaroo Rat Barred Tiger Salamander s t s Eleme I PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER PHOTO BY JON FARRAR E

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