Nebraskaland

August-September 2021 • Nebraskaland 21 Rogers, "and that this type of education is critical for the future of conservation and our natural resources." Game and Parks' Jeff Fields agreed. Fields, Douglas and a team of educators created a strategic plan to focus on education from 2020-2024, with goals for science and research, education in Nebraska's state park system, people and their relationships with the state's natural resources and how to sustain them and myriad other topics. "It's a credit to Douglas to know the importance of education moving forward and bringing a group together to form a plan," Fields said. And, in 2024, the vision for education will be re-evaluated and improved for the next generation of educators and participants. "This plan will evolve to stay relevant for all facets of education within our agency," said Douglas. "To better serve our public, we will continue to grow the knowledge and understanding of our outreach and education programs, which will afford Game and Parks the ability to build conservation- minded engaged citizenry to protect the vested interest of our wildlife and natural places." While there are several states that devote resources to education, Nebraska remains uniquely innovative in how they administer it. "Helping more people become curious about the natural world and comfortable in the outdoors are our goals," said Rogers. Yet there remains a crossover appeal to hunters and anglers as well across multiple platforms, including at Nebraska's state parks. Nebraska's Outdoor Expos, held each year at Ponca State Park and Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, feature a host of outdoor activities including shooting sports, fishing, archery, kayaking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing and a host of other attractions. These activities are woven together so seamlessly by Game and Parks and their partners that participants feel compelled to visit each activity, whether they regularly hunt and fish or not. "Anytime you encounter people that aren't hunters and anglers and relate them back to what you do, that audience is going to continue to grow," said former Game and Parks Commissioner Jerrod Burke. "Jim has been a great leader here. He's also helped align these outdoor expos with Nebraska's education standards," thus affecting thousands more across the state. Education remains at the forefront of Douglas's work for the Commission, mentoring our next generation of outdoor participants and their teachers in discovering the opportunities nature has to offer, whether you're wildlife viewing, catching a fish or something in between. DIRECTOR JIM DOUGLAS Alie Mayes, community science specialist, shows students jelly fungi found on a bird-watching hike at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. AMBER SCHILTZ

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