Join Nebraska Game and Parks and the Nebraska Invasive Species Council for the first annual Know Your Nebraska Invasives Day!

Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that live in water or on land that are found in an area that they are not from. They harm other wildlife from the area by using up their resources, such as water, food, and habitat, that they need to survive. Nebraska’s invasive species professionals will come together to teach you about Nebraska’s invasive species threats. You’ll learn about what species threaten Nebraska, what their impacts are, how to identify them, and how to prevent their spread. This event includes workshops and activities designed for all ages and skill sets.

Activities include:

10:30-11:45 a.m. – Aquatic plant identification and sampling workshop

Learn how to identify some of Nebraska’s native and priority invasive plant species. You’ll see how Nebraska Game and Parks Commission surveys for and treats aquatic vegetation and actively collect data for an aquatic plant survey.

Boat inspection simulations – Learn the techniques that NGPC’s boat inspectors use during boat inspections and get to practice doing an inspection yourself. Younger attendees can earn their “Junior Boat Inspector Certification” and badge. Prizes will be available for those who can successfully find a “zebra mussel”.

Guided nature hike – Learn how to identify native and invasive vegetation and learn how to report invasive species on this beginner-level hike.

Kayaking – Equipment and guidance provided. Earn prizes by participating in an optional invasive species scavenger hunt in your kayak!

Shoreline fishing – Equipment and guidance provided; a fishing permit is required for participants 16 years or older.

Gyotaku – or fish printing art station. Create your own masterpiece by pressing an ink imprint of a rubber fish of your choice.

Invasive species booths – Nebraska professionals can answer your questions about invasive species in Nebraska. You may even go home with some free swag AND MORE!

This event is free to everyone and no registration is required! A valid state park entry permit is required to enter the park. Park permits can be purchased at the park entry booth.

Fishing permits can be purchased at outdoornebraska.gov.

For more information contact Jena Paugels at jena.paugels@nebraska.gov or 402-429-8716.

This event is weather dependent and will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather.