CHADRON, Neb. – Forest thinning is either underway or scheduled to begin soon at three Nebraska Game and Parks Commission properties in the Pine Ridge near Crawford and Harrison.

The projects consist of 258 acres at Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area, 84 acres at Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area, and 80 acres at Fort Robinson State Park. The work is beginning this spring and will continue into fall.

Most of the efforts are targeting stands of ponderosa pine trees, which, as with other forests throughout the West, have become dense from generations of fire suppression. Thinning the forests, especially when combined with other management strategies, makes them more resilient to dangerous and costly catastrophic wildfires and improves wildlife habitat.

Targeted areas are on the southern portion of Gilbert-Baker, the Giant’s Coffin and Lover’s Leap butte vicinity on the eastern side of Fort Robinson, and the eastern side of Rim of the World Road at Ponderosa.

Bryce Gerlach, a forester for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation, said thinning on about one-third of the Gilbert-Baker acreage is designed to improve riparian health along Monroe Creek by removal of pines and junipers that are competing with deciduous species.

He noted the projects at Gilbert-Baker and Ponderosa will supplement the 2,200 acres on Pine Ridge wildlife management areas that have already been treated with thinning and removal of “ladder fuels,” the brush and other vegetation that helps wildfires climb trees, in recent years.

Game and Parks biologist Shelley Steffl said this marks the third forest management project at Fort Robinson within the past four years, and will bring the total of treated acres to 237 there. She said the projects not only are meeting forestry and wildlife objectives at Fort Robinson, but also lessening the wildfire risk for nearby Crawford. The work complements the extensive thinning and forest management that has been completed at another big Game and Parks tourism attraction in the Pine Ridge, Chadron State Park.

Visitors should use caution when thinning operations are in progress. Land managers say that although the projects may affect recreation for park and wildland users this year, they are sure to bring benefits of more healthy and sustainable forests for generations to come.

Get involved in the 2020 Nebraska Bird Month Challenge

LINCOLN – In honor of the role birds play in Nebraska’s economy and ecosystems, Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May as Nebraska Bird Month.

The monthlong celebration, typically celebrated with bird-related events across the state, has taken on a new form this year in the interest of public health due to the novel coronavirus. Rather than attend an event, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites Nebraskans to get outside, look for birds and join a national citizen science program as part of the Nebraska Bird Month 2020 Challenge.

“Spring is a great time to go bird watching,” said Lindsay Rogers, Game and Parks Fish and Wildlife Education Division Administrator. “Many birds are migrating through the state and those birds that breed here in Nebraska are busy establishing territories, courting mates and building nests. Plus, birds provide a huge boost to Nebraska’s economy through hunting, wildlife watching and feeding birds.”

To enter the challenge, Nebraska Bird Month participants should head to nebraskabirdmonth.org and complete the commitment form. Those who do will be sent a package of birding resources. Participants then should head outside to look for birds and enter at least five species they find on iNaturalist, a web-based citizen science program.

The Nebraska Bird Month website also contains free resources, tutorials, lesson plans, and information about Nebraska birds. Discover more at nebraskabirdmonth.org.

“The most important thing this year is that Nebraskans are getting outside, learning about birds and helping scientists by participating in citizen science programs,” Rogers said.

Those who participate in Nebraska Bird Month should continue to honor all local, state and federal public health guidelines, including social distancing and wellness recommendations.

Nebraska Bird Month began as a collaborative effort in 2015. It is sponsored by Game and Parks with support from Nebraska Educational Television, Wild Bird Habitat Store and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

For more information, contact Lindsay Rogers at lindsay.rogers@nebraska.gov.

Highlight Outdoor Nebraska’s finest on your next video conference

LINCOLN, Neb. -- With virtual meetings expected to be a part of people’s lives for the foreseeable future as the coronavirus pandemic continues worldwide, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is making available 12 iconic photos for use as video conferencing backgrounds.

The photos, featuring the photography of Nebraskaland Magazine, showcase wildlife, scenic parks and stunning views, so those connecting over virtual conference platforms for work or for fun can highlight their sense of adventure — and hide any messes in the background, too.

The photos span the state from Platte River State Park to Chadron State Park. One can look into the eye of butterfly or see oneself riding a bike trail through forested woods.

Browse the entire collection at OutdoorNebraska.org/ZoomBackgrounds. Expand the main gallery at that link to save select images, then upload them to any virtual meeting platform that allows backdrops to be changed. Once there, look for “virtual backgrounds” in the settings menu and upload the Nebraskaland image of your choice. Pro tip: Some platforms even allow you to change backgrounds mid-chat.

Keep in mind, all images that have been made available are copyrighted by Game and Parks and are intended for personal use only.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day delayed until later this summer

LINCOLN, Neb. – In a proactive effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is delaying Free Fishing and Park Entry Day. It had been scheduled for May 16.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, typically held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, allows anyone to enjoy fishing anywhere across the state without a fishing permit or explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park without the need to purchase a park entry permit. Normally, activities are scheduled in state park areas in conjunction with Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, but Game and Parks announced on March 16 the cancellation of all agency-sponsored activities through May 31 to prevent large gatherings of people.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day will be discussed at the May 8 meeting of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in Lincoln. A rescheduled date for Free Fishing and Park Entry Day will be announced at a later time.

Parks are open for day use, fishing and recreation. Individuals should limit travel as much as possible, practice social distancing at least 6 feet between others, avoid crowded areas and adhere to the 10-person limit rule.

For updates or more information go to OutdoorNebraska.gov.