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/977334
26 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2018 prairie and blue agates, the latter being Nebraska's state gemstone. Collecting is allowed on federal land, except Toadstool Park, with some regulations. The soil has also preserved countless fossils with clues to life millions of years ago. Visitors might see the fossilized shell of a prehistoric turtle protruding from the Toadstool Park area, where other fossils such as entelodonts and hyaenodons have been unearthed. Only fossils of small invertebrates and plants may be collected, though, and strict regulations apply for them. One of the region's largest fossil discoveries is presented at the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, an enclosed fossil dig of 600 Alberta Culture bison. Another, two mammoths that died with tusks locked in battle, is displayed at the Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson State Park. Biologically Unique The expansive prairie here is one of the largest intact grasslands remaining in Nebraska and is identified as a Biologically Unique Landscape of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project, the state's wildlife action plan. The plan identifies four plants and 12 animal species in the area as either threatened or endangered, including the diminutive swift fox, ferruginous hawks and Barr's milkvetch. Plant communities found here are western floodplain terrace grassland, silver sagebrush shrub prairie, greasewood shrub prairie and northwestern mixed-grass prairie. Intermittent playa wetlands support waterfowl in the spring. Prairie bird species love the western wheatgrass, little bluestem and other grass species. Colonies of prairie dogs support a variety of wildlife while the badlands create a home for species Ponderosa pine trees are obscured by early morning fog along Cottonwood Road in Sioux County. Getting Out There • The Forest Service's Motor Vehicle Use Map, available at the district headquarters in Chadron or online, is key to identifying public land and knowing which roads are open to driving. • The gumbo soil becomes nearly impassable after rain – regardless if you have two-wheel drive or four. • Toadstool Park has a primitive camping area with picnic shelters and vault toilets for a small fee. The remaining federal property allows dispersed camping, and vehicles may park within 300 feet of roads. • The openness of the country means there is not much shade, nor cover from wind, rain and hail. Cell phone service is limited so GPS units and maps prove helpful. • More information at fs.fed.us.