30 Nebraskaland • November 2022
Flames
on the
Niobrara
By Gerry Steinauer, Botanist
y introduction to the central Niobrara River Valley
came in 1984 when, fresh out of college, I interned on
The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve
located east of Valentine. My job on the recently-
acquired preserve was to design and build nature trails,
help move cattle between pastures on horseback, and fi x
windmills and fences, along with other miscellaneous ranch
duties.
On evenings and weekends, I explored. For a kid from the
outskirts of Omaha that didn't travel much while growing
up, the 56,000-acre preserve was terra incognito. I hiked
rocky canyon rims, deep-shaded woods and prairie-covered
dunes, and swam and fi shed in the cool, sandy waters of the
Niobrara. This young botanist was also enthralled by the
valley's rich fl ora: More than 600 plant species are found on
the preserve alone. By summer's end, the preserve had its
hooks in me.
Throughout my 32-year career with the Nebraska Game
and Parks Commission, I have taken every opportunity
to return to the preserve, whether it be to conduct plants
surveys, help with workshops or assist with prescribed burns.
Case in point: In December 2021, I received an email stating
that a prescribed burn was planned for the next day, and help
was needed. That evening, I packed my fi re gear, and the next
morning, I was on the road early for the long drive north. This
is the story of that burn.
M
the story of a
prescribed burn
Prescribed Burn Area
The prescribed fi re unit included 450-acres of the Niobrara
River's south bluff on The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara
Valley Preserve in Cherry County, Smith Falls State Park
bordered the unit to the west. TIM REIGERT, NEBRASKALAND
Smith Falls
State Park
N
iob
rar
a
R
ive
r
Waterfall
Brewer Bridge
