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/768942
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 21 Last issue's winner of the Visitor drawing was Peg Haenfler of Sidney, Montana, who found the Southern black widow spider on page 12. Readers are encouraged to contact NEBRASKAland within 10 days after this issue's publication with the correct page number and name of this issue's "Visitor" – a critter found in Nebraska. We will then gather the correct entries and draw one to win a NEBRASKAland mug. To enter each month, write: NEBRASKAland Visitor 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. Or e-mail: Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov with "Visitor" in the subject line of the message. HINT: This issue's visitor is not on page 15, 21, 41, 45, 49. Nebraska is home to the Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) and the Western black widow spider (L. Hesperus). The female southern black widow is very distinctive, with a shiny black body and red hourglass shape on the underside of the abdomen. The hourglass of the Western black widow may be less distinct, appearing like two triangles or even a blotch. Males typically lack the hourglass shape, though may have red spotting, and are smaller than females. These spiders are reclusive, preferring protected spaces such as wood piles, storage areas and garages. Black widow spiders produce a web to entangle prey. Once a fly or other insect is caught, the spider rushes down to wrap it in silk and inject it with venom. The venom contains a neurotoxin, which can be damaging to humans, though deaths are rare. Special thanks to Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist, Nebraska Department of Agriculture. NEBRASKAland Visitor Attention Educators! By Lindsay Rogers Today, children are more likely to know Pokémon characters than native plants. They are more likely to spend spare time indoors than outside, and they're more likely to feel uncomfortable outside than their parents' generation. Yet, countless studies have shown that children who spend time outdoors develop better problem solving skills, increase their ability to focus and show improved academic performance. Additionally, children who spend time in nature are usually more physically active, less stressed and display better social-emotional skills. However, when looking at many early childhood programs and elementary classrooms, we see little learning taking place outside. Often, teachers lack the confidence to take groups of children outside because they have not been trained to integrate nature into their curriculums. The goal of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Growing Up WILD Program is to help early childhood educators engage their students in learning through nature and the outdoors. Educators who attend a Growing Up WILD workshop will gain the necessary skills to take children outside for meaningful learning experiences. Additionally, workshop participants receive the Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children curriculum and activity guide which is filled with interdisciplinary, age-appropriate lessons that utilize nature as an integrating concept. To learn more about Nebraska's Growing Up WILD Program, visit Nebraskaprojectwild.org; to find an upcoming workshop, click on "View Scheduled Workshops." Follow the Nebraska Project WILD page on Facebook for updates, ideas and other related resources. ■ Lucy Wacker challenges herself to climb as high as she can while visiting Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton. PHOTO BY LINDSAY ROGERS ne d t to Julie V