OutdoorNebraska

An angler holds a crappie he caught at a sandpit near Wahoo. JEFF KURRUS OUTCOMES • Develop low-cost, low-maintenance lodging units that generate a high return on investment and expand visitor opportunities by reducing barriers for first-time cabin or camping experiences. • Evaluate and identify opportunities for the design and construction of new campgrounds based on ROI potential, visitor demand, location, existing infrastructure, and related considerations. • Evaluate current – and identify new – opportunities for sustainable park programming, activities and events throughout the state. • In collaboration with partners, use Ponca State Park as a pilot site for sustainable, multi-use, and diverse trail development and enhancement, providing a model for implementation in parks statewide. • Enhance access to and infrastructure at lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams and canals. • Sustainable hunting access to private lands through new and existing programs. • Safe archery and firearm range access. • Continue stocking fish, completing aquatic restorations/renovations, managing aquatic vegetation and applying research for the benefit of recreational users. • Conduct surveys to increase our understanding of the end-users' needs and desires. This can be achieved through our Boating Access Program, Aquatic Habitat and Angler Access Program, Community Waters Program and Open Fields and Waters Program Surveys include general Nebraska surveys, licensed angler surveys, on-site creel surveys, boat inspections, hunting surveys, depredation surveys, customer satisfaction surveys, park user surveys, education surveys and outdoor recreation program surveys. GOAL 1 Support and enhance public access to recreational opportunities on land resources RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY ACCESS CUSTOMER SERVICE INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP GOAL 2 Support and enhance public access to recreational opportunities on water resources RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY ACCESS CUSTOMER SERVICE INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP Strategic Direction 2: RECREATION Providing sustainable recreation programs and services. Thanks to funding from a Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, our Aquatic Habitat Program added a custom-built barge designed to improve fish habitat. This powerful barge has a hydraulic lift, enabling our crews to safely and precisely place heavy habitat materials, such as whole trees and rocks, exactly where they're needed. It's already been hard at work on the recent I-80 lakes Aquatic Habitat Project, creating healthier fisheries and better fishing opportunities for anglers. 16

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