Nebraskaland

July 2019 • Nebraskaland 25 eye and 3-D targets, a shotgun trap range, and a 100-yard range for sighting in rifles and precision shooting. A 5-stand sporting clays range and skeet range are nearing completion. People may bring approved firearms and bows for all but the air rifle range, which requires use of the complex's guns. Equipment, including firearms, ammunition, bows and arrows are available for rental, and trained instructors help people get started. The facility not only serves experts, but also introduces youth and novices to shooting sports and consequently promotes the state's hunting heritage. Learning, Naturally One of Wildcat Hills' paramount missions is to combat "nature deficit disorder," the evidence-based idea that children and others are spending less time outdoors. More than 6,000 children annually take part in education programs at the Nature Center. It is especially popular during field trip season in spring. Second-grade teacher Erica Croft of Morrill is among the educators using the center to complement the curriculum. She and her teaching partner find the center and its services helpful in expanding students' knowledge of their environment. "Many of our students have only been to school and to Scottsbluff, so venturing into the great outdoors is a new experience for a lot of them," she said. "The facility itself offers a unique, multisensory learning environment. They could look at fossils, bones and habitat recreations. They could create footprints in sand with molds. They could look at slides under microscopes and even touch real life animals." Three-dimensional elements, such as taxidermy and fossils, provide outstanding visuals, as do painted murals of the region's current ecosystem and how scientists believe it looked in prehistoric times. The new classroom provides a comfortable area to conduct educational activities. Live amphibians and reptiles, including a Blanding's turtle and western hognose snake, give children an opportunity to see species first-hand. "During the school year, we study different habitats and ecosystems, so this field trip is a nice complement to our studies," Croft said. "It puts the 'theoretical' learning into everyday, tangible experiences for the kids. They get to see what the prairie looks like, experience the sounds and the smells, see bugs, animals, etc." Most of the field trips are led by Amanda Filipi, a Commission outdoor education specialist who serves the Panhandle. "Amanda does an amazing job working and communicating with the kids," Croft said. "She has a talent of talking to them like they are mature, but also really injecting a lot of humor into all of the facts that she is presenting. This isn't always an easy skill when working with 7- and 8-year-olds." In early May, for the second consecutive year, the center opened its doors to hundreds of students for the annual Outdoor Discovery Program – a Commission event that introduces children to nature and a wide variety of outdoor activities. The Wildcat Hills facilities were inadequate before the latest round of construction and expansion, so it was previously staged at the Trails West YMCA Camp in Scottsbluff. Also for young visitors, the Junior Explorer program features a 16-page full-color book with activities. The program has activities requiring children to find and study natural features, such as animal tracks and plants. The program has a definite Wildcat Hills flavor, with topics specific to the area. The center also plays host to Wildcat Weekends, a series The shooting complex off ers opportunities for a variety of shooters and archers. Amanda Filipi, outdoor education specialist, explains a yucca seed pod to children during a hike. OPPOSITE: The park provides a convenient location to get a taste of the Wildcat Hills' scenic, rugged topography.

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