OutdoorNebraska

6 2017 Annual Report COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH B U I L D I N G T H E N E X T G E N E R A T I O N O F C O N S E R V A T I O N I S T S The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission takes its mission – stewardship of the state's fi sh, wildlife, park, and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources – very seriously. But Game and Parks alone cannot fulfi ll this mission. An informed public that understands the need for conservation and cares about our natural resources is critical to our success. So too is a population that hunts, fi shes and visits our state parks. In recent years, and especially in 2017, Game and Parks has taken a proactive approach to ensure that support for and participation in hunting, fi shing and other conservation activities remains strong. Working with the Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, the agency has analyzed Nebraska's hunters and anglers, who they are and where the come from. Game and Parks launched an R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) initiative to better understand motivations for hunting and fi shing and to develop strong programs to attract and retain both new and experienced hunters and anglers. Additionally, Game and Parks launched new programs, including a collegiate hunting club, to help those interested in hunting and fi shing develop the tools and fi nd the community they need to be successful. The agency has also sought to plant the seed of the importance of conservation and outdoor recreation in some of our youngest Nebraskans. Game and Parks staff have worked hard to make outdoor activities available to youth and families through day camps, after school programs, expos, high school shooting programs such as the Cornhusker Trapshoot and National Archery in the Schools Program. These programs alone reach more than 50,000 students annually. "We want all Nebraska youth to have the chance to develop a solid foundation of outdoor experiences," said Nebraska Game and Parks Communications Director Christy Firestone. "An engaged public begins with engaged youth." ARCHERY ON FIRE EVENT AT PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK.

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