AKSARBEN AQUARIUM
A N E X C I T I N G " E D V E N T U R E "
A
ksarben Aquarium has, since 1979, been a
place for school-age children in the Omaha
and Lincoln areas to come in contact with nature.
However, with education displays dating back to its
opening, it is time for a learning upgrade.
The Aquarium's
new Interactive
Exploration Center
will focus on the
state of Nebraska's
most valuable
resource – water.
The new-and-
improved aquarium
will feature tanks
triple the size of
the old ones, and
will house entire
ecosystems.
Visitors will be able
to see how coolwater streams fl ow into rivers and
fi nally into reservoirs. A farm pond ecosystem will
be featured in its own tank, as will small species
such as stonerollers and daces that people don't
often see.
Finally, visitors will have the opportunity to touch
live fi sh in the shovelnose sturgeon touch tank.
For Swenson, this project is personal. As a child,
he often tagged along with his dad and grandpa
when they were
spending time
outdoors, which
inspired his career
in conservation
more than anything
he learned at
school. "At the
aquarium kids
can learn and not
even know they're
learning," he said.
"You can teach kids
in the classroom,
but you also have
to let them touch it
and smell it for these kids to fully appreciate what
they're looking at."
The nature center will also feature live animals –
including snakes, turtles, and frogs – and young
visitors and students will have the opportunity to
Why the Platte River Parklands?
The Platte River Parklands have received
a large amount of focus due to these
Venture Park upgrades, and for good
reason considering 1.5 million people live
within an hour of these locations. However,
multiple projects have also been recently
conducted throughout the state, including
the rebuilding of the Officer's Quarters at
Fort Robinson State Park near Harrison
and the recently opened nature complex
and shooting range at Wildcat Hills State
Recreation Area.
And these are just the start of ideas for
future state parks projects. Spend more than
a few minutes with Douglas, and his eyes
light up about the possibilities. "We have
project plans throughout the state," said
Douglas, "but we need the funding to do
these."
NEBRASKAland Magazine • VENTURE PARKS
