18 Nebraskaland • April 2021
By Sarah Nevison, Wildlife Biologist
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
IN THE STATE PARK SYSTEM
IN THE FIELD
Nebraska's state park system serves a tremendous role in
conserving the state's diverse wildlife and plant populations,
including its threatened and endangered species. Nebraska
has 30 state-listed species, several of which can be found in
the park system. Here are a few examples:
•
Threatened piping plovers and state endangered least
terns nest on sandbars along the Missouri, Niobrara and Platte
rivers, so be on the lookout when you're visiting Eugene T.
Mahoney, Platte River, Ponca and Niobrara state parks, or the
state recreation areas along these rivers, such as Fort Kearny,
Lake McConaughy, Louisville and Schramm Park.
•
Whooping cranes can be seen if the time is right either
flying overhead, foraging in fields or roosting on rivers,
particularly during the spring migration. They have been
seen throughout central Nebraska, from the bridge at Fort
Kearny State Recreation Area in particular.
•
In Nebraska, southern flying squirrels live in forested
areas primarily in the southeastern corner of the state. Some
make their homes at Indian Cave State Park.
•
Swift foxes can be spotted in the grasslands around Fort
Robinson State Park, as well as the flat grasslands outside of
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area.
•
You might see northern long-eared bats foraging at night
while camping anywhere across the state. The Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission has confirmed their presence
at Ponca State Park.
•
River otters have made a comeback in nearly every
major river system in Nebraska and recently were removed
from the state threatened list. You may find tracks or scat
from these creatures at Smith Falls or Niobrara state parks,
or lucky guests may even see one in person.
•
Ancient-looking pallid sturgeon swim the waters
through Mahoney, Platte River, Ponca and Indian Cave state
parks. In the same muddy waters that pallid sturgeon live,
we also find the tiny sturgeon chub.
•
Although the public may never see an American burying
beetle, just knowing that they live around Merritt Reservoir
and Calamus Reservoir state recreation areas can increase
our appreciation of the species and the areas.
•
American ginseng, a plant with clusters of bright red
berries, can be found in forests along the Missouri River,
particularly at Ponca State Park.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
