OutdoorNebraska

26 2017 Annual Report WILDLIFE N E W W I L D L I F E V I E W I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S I N S P I R E I N T E R E S T I N C O N S E R V A T I O N Anyone who has witnessed the spectacle of the annual sandhill crane migration or heard the eerie booming of prairie chickens knows that they have experienced something special. Perhaps that is why bird viewing – and wildlife viewing in general – is on the rise. In fact, wildlife viewing contributes millions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs to the state's economy annually, while also helping those who engage in wildlife viewing activities feel more connected to the natural world. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has worked to make these experiences more accessible in 2017, adding two new public viewing blinds – a prairie chicken viewing blind southwest of North Platte and a crane viewing blind between North Platte and Hershey. The prairie chicken blind was established in conjunction with the Nebraska Cooperate Republican Platte Enhancement Project. Both blinds allow the public to observe fi rst-hand the importance and benefi ts of habitat conservation. Game and Parks also provided many other opportunities for the public to observe wildlife across the state in 2017. Several state parks held bioblitzes, in which the public was encouraged to identify and record the behavior of as many plants and animals as they were able during a morning or afternoon. Several other state parks encouraged guests to record the behavior of animals during the solar eclipse in August. Even Gov. Pete Ricketts participated in wildlife viewing in 2017. In May, he led about 20 fi ve- year-old students from Trinity Infant and Child Care Center in Lincoln on a walk in which they looked for and identifi ed birds. Following the bird watching event, he read a book about birds to the students. He also signed a proclamation designating May Nebraska Bird Month. Inspiring the public to care about nature is critical to the future of our wildlife and natural resources. Wildlife watching events can help the public, especially children, become invested in conservation, said Lindsay Rogers, an outdoor education specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks. "Instilling an interest in and appreciation for nature in young children is crucial to developing citizens who care about the environment and wildlife conservation." NEBRASKA GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS TAKES PART IN A BIRDWATCHING ACTIVITY WITH PRE-K STUDENTS AT TRINITY INFANT AND CHILD CARE CENTER IN LINCOLN. ERIC - NEED INFO ON THIS IMAGE (NO FILE INFO)

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