NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/315021
JUNE 2014 • NEBRASKAland 15 14 NEBRASKAland • JUNE 2014 Local rodeos all summer "Tanking" down the Middle Loup River 3URGXFHGLQSDUWE\DJUDQWIURPWKH1HEUDVND*DPH DQG3DUNV&RPPLVVLRQZZZ2XWGRRUQHEUDVNDRUJ Local rodeos all summer "Tanking" down the Middle Loup River Annual Spring Sandhill Crane migration Explore the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Nebraska Highway 2, from Grand Island to Alliance. It makes a memorable day trip or week-long vacation! • e largest grass-covered sand dune formations in the Western Hemisphere. • Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District • Real cowboys, working ranches and over 500,000 head of cattle • World-class birding • Near the Valentine and Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuges 6DQGKLOOV3KRWR51HLEHO1HEUDVND'('0XOOHQ5RGHR6WHYHDQG%REEL2OVRQ 7DQNLQJ0LGGOH/RXS5LYHU&KULVWRSKHU$PXQGVRQ1HEUDVND/LIH0DJD]LQH 6DQGKLOO&UDQHV1HEUDVND*DPH 3DUNV VDQGKLOOVMRXUQH\FRP By Amy Kucera The Nebraska Master Naturalist program has been educating and empowering volunteers in conservation since 2009. Through a variety of guided experiences in nature, this citizen science certification turns into an experiential vacation, enhanced by a series of courses in the classroom, all designed to empower Nebraskans to aid in natural resource conservation within the state. One such opportunity is the program certification at The Nature Conservancy's Niobrara Valley Preserve. This June, Nebraska Master Naturalist trainees and volunteers will unite here for the third year to engage in the biologically unique landscape of the Niobrara River valley near Johnstown, together with the region's experts in the field – or, in this instance, bison pasture. Field tours, buffalo cookout and a kayak trip down the Niobrara National Scenic River round out the nearly week-long adventure in the Sandhills backcountry. Since late 2010, more than 140 volunteer members have contributed over 15,000 hours of public service within the state. The program is a partnership of The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Trust, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. For complete program information, visit Snr.unl.edu/naturalist. ■ In the Field with Nebraska Master Naturalists Man Cave By Clint Livingston My man cave reflects my passion for Old West history and hunting. It's also an extension of my hobby-turned-business, Blue Creek Traders. Basically, I converted the garage into an early 1800s trading post. When you open the door, it's like stepping back into the mountain man era. Buffalo robes are piled on the wood floor, beaver pelts and antlers hang from ceiling rafters, animal heads and black powder guns adorn the walls, wrought iron stands display leather clothing and fur hats and crudely designed shelves hold antique pottery. I've given tours and talks to local schoolchildren, and the trading post is a favorite hangout for friends and family, especially my sons and grandsons. Submit your man cave images to jenny.nguyen@nebraska.gov, along with your name and brief description of your man cave. ■ Eating the Samples By Jeff Kurrus Sometimes companies send us products to try out so we can share with you, our dear NEBRASKAland readers, our favorites for you to try yourselves. Because we don't do this all the time, we rarely condemn a product that we don't like, practicing the "if you don't have something nice to say" axiom. But every once in a while I run into another problem, as was the case with Usana protein bars and the Celsius company's "Your Negative Calorie Drink." I kept eating the samples before I could photograph them for the magazine's purposes. Soon after receiving them, they were gone – the best testament I can give for products I'll continue to use on my days afield. For more information on these products, including nutritional information, visit Usana.com and Amazon.com to see the full line of both of these excellent in the field snacks. ■ Now Open! Nebraska Game and Parks 4703 N. 44th Street Lincoln Indoor and Outdoor Archery Range Indoor Firearm Range Equipment rental available Grand Opening June 7 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. OutdoorNebraska.org UTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER PHOTO BY AMY KUCERA Gerry Steinauer, Commission botanist, leads Nebraska Master Naturalist volunteers on a wildflower hike at the Niobrara Valley Preserve near Johnstown. Watch "The Master Naturalist Experience" by Thomas A. Bouse. W E