The Nebraska Nature and Visitor Center near Alda, Neb., offers online registration for sandhill crane viewing tours to the public this spring.
Each tour includes a presentation and a guide to an observation blind on the Platte River to watch cranes depart the river in the morning or return in the evening.
The footbridge tour costs $8 and the enclosed viewing blind tour is $30. The tours require a 10-minute walk in the pre-dawn darkness. Tours last about two hours are not recommended for children under age 12.
To register online, go to the nature center's home page at http://nebraskanature.org. Click on the Book Your Tour Now link, click the Buy Now button to access information pages. A second Buy Now button links to the registration page.
Director Brad Mellema said cranes typically start arriving in mid-February.
Those who prefer registration by phone can call the center at 308-382-1820. Mellema encouraged making early reservations because tours fill early.
The center is seven miles west of Grand Island, Neb.
More youth instructors will be certified
Additional workshops have been scheduled for adults who want to be certified as volunteer youth fishing instructors for the Youth Fishing Program, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Certified instructors will learn how to put on fishing programs, derbies and club activities for children and families. Instructors will have the use of free fishing tackle and educational resources at clinics. They also will have access to free camping at state parks when volunteering as a fishing host.
Andrea Faas, aquatic education specialist for the commission, will share materials, resources, tips, group management skills and plans for leading youth fishing activities.
Instructor workshops include: Feb. 6, Gretna, 10 a.m.-noon, Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium at Schramm Park State Recreation Area; Feb. 22, South Sioux City, 6-7:30 p.m., City Hall; March 24, Ogallala, 6-8 p.m., Lake McConaughy Visitor Center; March 25, Chadron, 6-8 p.m., Chadron State College Student Center; April 27, Broken Bow, 6-8 p.m., Chamber of Commerce building; May 12, Kearney, 6-8 p.m., Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, Lake No. 6.
Contact Faas at 402-332-3901 or andrea.faas@nebraska.gov to register.
More safety courses added to schedule
More boating safety classes and test sessions continue to be added to the calendar, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Anyone ages 14 through 17 who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska must have successfully completed the Nebraska boating safety course. They also must be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat.
Visit OutdoorNebraska.org/boating for a complete schedule of boating safety courses. Courses are added to the schedule periodically.
CALENDAR
TUESDAY
• Trout Unlimited Chapter 710 meeting, 7:30 p.m., Papio-Missouri River NRD building, Wehrspann Lake, Omaha.
WEDNESDAY
• Nebraska dark goose hunting season closes in East Unit.
THURSDAY
• Cornhusker Fly Fishers fly-tying workshop, 6 to 8 p.m., Cabela's, La Vista.
FRIDAY
• Nebraska Big Buck Classic, Qwest Center Omaha, 4 to 9 p.m., $10 adults, women and kids 12 and younger free.
SATURDAY
• Nebraska Big Buck Classic, Qwest Center Omaha, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $10 adults, $5 kids 7-12.
• Trout Unlimited Chapter 710 annual fundraising banquet, Anthony's Steak House, 7220 F St., Omaha, 6 to 9 p.m., open to public. Tickets available at door. Call 402-659-1017 or 402-898-4324.
SUNDAY
• Nebraska Big Buck Classic, Qwest Center Omaha, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $10 adults, women and kids 12 and younger free.
• Nebraska squirrel season closes.
• Nebraska pheasant, quail and partridge seasons close.
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