Nebraskaland

July 2019 • Nebraskaland 27 and there are even sometimes reports of bighorn sheep – if not at the park, they can be found at one of the many public lands nearby. Even the occasional moose has been reported on the property. Visitors are reminded to keep an eye out for another important member of the High Plains ecosystem, the prairie rattlesnake. Way Back Wildcats The Wildcat Hills Nature Center serves as an important stop and southernmost point of the Fossil Freeway, a corridor of seven important paleontological sites that extends northward to the Mammoth Site at Hot Springs, S.D. Wildcat Hills is the site of the Millenium's End Quarry, a remarkable trove of diverse fossils representing life 23 million years ago that was discovered on the highway right- of-way in 1999. Past species such as the "bear dog" Ysengrinia and Prosynthetroceras, a deer-like animal with a slingshot-like horn protruding from its snout, are brought to life in an interpretive mural by artist Jan Vriesen. Appropriate for a facility with "Wildcat" in its name, a 25-million-year old fossil of two battling saber-toothed cats entangled in death is housed in the center. Renowned paleontologist Loren Eiseley discovered it in the Panhandle in 1932. A Place to Gather With the 2017 expansion, the Nature Center gained a greater capacity to host groups. The Ponderosa Room is designed to be an ideal location for meetings, reunions, birthday parties and small weddings. It seats 125 people in rows or 72 at tables and chairs. Those who prefer to gather outdoors can capitalize on some of the park's historical features. Dating back to the park's earliest days are three Great Depression-era stone shelters that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration. The shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The largest of the three accommodates about 40 people and has fireplaces on each end. The other two, which each have a picnic table and fireplace, are ideal for smaller groups. The park has a camping area with 12 non-reservable sites for those who do not mind limited amenities, and an area on the east side of the park has recently been developed into a camping area for larger groups, such as scout troops. Take note, though, the areas are not accessible with large RVs and trailers because of sharp turn-arounds. Hiking into the Future No doubt, the new facilities have increased the park's popularity. The estimated 35,000 visitors each year represent a 40-percent increase from before the nature center expansion and shooting complex construction. In addition, park staff continues developing valuable programs and improving the park's environment. Gary Shoemaker, the park superintendent since 2016, is a former employee of the Boy Scouts of America and has used connections from his past job to improve the park. More than 20 Eagle Scout projects have enriched the property since he was hired, such as a new entrance sign and a bridge on the Turkey Run Trail. The true value of Wildcat Hills and its offerings may be best surmised in the reactions of Croft's second-grade students. "As we left our field trip this year, our students were so excited," she said. "We know it is a successful field trip when our students exclaim, 'I am going to take my mom and dad here this weekend so we can hike some more.'" That is quite a testimonial, "especially when these kids were pretty sure they didn't want to hike at all," she said. N Visitors to the Wildcat Hills Nature Center learn not only about today's wildlife, but also the deer-like Prosynthetoceras and other creatures that roamed the area millions of years ago. This image is from the mural created by artist Jan Vriesen. The park's three stone shelters constructed during the Great Depression era with stones from nearby are not only functional but also rich with charm.

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