June 2026 • Nebraskaland 41
array of animal species in need of conservation, the pages
of Nebraskaland have reflected a more holistic approach to
conservation by the agency. You'd be hard-pressed to find
a wildlife species that hasn't graced the cover of Outdoor
Nebraska or Nebraskaland or at least mentioned within
its pages.
In the magazine's time, Canada geese have risen from
near extinction to being considered a nuisance in areas. The
coverage of that species included reintroduction of geese
to the Sandhills after being raised in pens at Sacramento-
Wilcox Wildlife Management Area. The publication also
helped spread the word about the harmful effects of the
pesticide DDT, and documented the return of bald eagles
and ospreys after it was banned. Even trumpeter swans
have become a common sight in places.
As the scope of research efforts for the state's fauna and
flora has increased, Nebraskaland has delivered findings to
the people. Often, biologists have penned the articles.
There are still many challenges on the conservation front.
Among them are disease, predation and, of course, habitat
loss from, as O'Connell put it, the "ever-grasping hand of
commerce."
However, if the first readers of Outdoor Nebraska could
have jumped ahead 100 years, they surely would marvel
at the wildlife populations of today. O'Connell would be
glad to see there are still prairie chickens around to state
their case.
As the agency's conservation officers and wildlife
professionals have led the charge in preserving and
bringing back populations of living animals and plants, the
magazine has been there to document progress and deliver
the conservation messages that aided in the success. May
the coming century bring as many triumphs to report.
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OPPOSITE TOP: A tom wild turkey struts at Crescent Lake
National Wildlife Refuge in Garden County. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Bighorn sheep run at Cedar Canyon Wildlife
Management Area in Scotts Bluff County. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
LEFT TOP: Canada geese are held in rearing pens at
Sacramento-Wilcox Wildlife Management Area. NEBRASKALAND
LEFT BOTTOM: A bighorn sheep is released back to the
wild after receiving ear tags and a telemetry collar from
Game and Parks employees and volunteers at Williams
Gap Wildlife Management Area. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
