Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ Nebraska office offers Reverse Field Trip programming for students of all ages in the Nebraska Panhandle. Due to our generous funding we are able to offer these classes at no cost to participants. Our Reverse Field Trip programs feature interactive lessons, small group investigations, hands-on exploration, and curriculum-aligned content. See our current offerings below as well. Sessions run 45 minutes or 1 class period and are limited to 35 students, but multiple sessions can be scheduled for the same day. A teacher or chaperone is required to be present during programs. For ease of scheduling, we ask that you register at least 2 weeks before your desired date. If you want to schedule a class within two weeks, please fill out a form and we will do our best to accommodate your group. Please visit the Reverse Field Trip Programs Registration Form to register for a class.

Pollination Nation (PreK-6th): Learn about the important role that insect and bird pollinators play in our world while exploring various pollinators, plant adaptations and pollinator conservation efforts.

Water Works (3rd–12th): Students will learn about the amazing properties of water and how it affects our daily lives, as well as current threats to water and how we can protect this life-giving resource.

So Fly! (K-5th): This class is all about birds! Learn about avian adaptations as well as challenges our feathered friends face.

Science of Migration (4th-9th): Take a deep dive into the phenomenon of migration through the lens of bird banding. Taking on the role of a scientist, students will gather banding data and analyze the data to understand how bird banding helps us understand bird migration.

Keep Nebraska Wild (6th-12th): Take on the role of a Wildlife Biologist to gain a closer look at Nebraska’s threatened and endangered species. Activities are centered on how reintroduction and conservation efforts have been successful at bringing species back from the brink of extinction.

Running from late August – mid October, bird banding stations in Nebraska give students the opportunity to see birds in the hand and experience ongoing conservation research. This learning experience provides students with the opportunity to observe scientific data collection and Nebraska biodiversity. Students will learn about bird adaptations, behaviors, habitat requirements, migration patterns, and conservation issues. Banding station programs also emphasize the importance of our native habitats for healthy human and wildlife communities.

Banding stations are located at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area in Gering and Chadron State Park in Chadron. All ages are welcome. Programs run for 2.5 hours and due to generous funding, programs are provided at no cost to participants. 

Registration for our Bird Banding Programs will be available this Spring.

Visit our Bird Banding page to learn more about banding birds.

The After School Nature Club is a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly student program that creates excitement about the outdoors, provides hands-on conservation education and deepens connections to the natural world. Nature Club’s provide support to aftercare programs at elementary schools and expands on students’ science knowledge and critical thinking skills. Lessons and activities are based on students’ interests and creating excitement about their local schoolyard environment.  

After School Nature Club is open to any school in the Panhandle and can be done in-person or virtually. Sound like a program your students or school would want to participate in? Contact the Education Manager to get a Nature Club started at your school.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ Nebraska family and community programs are designed for families, children, and community members living in Western Nebraska.  Most programs take place at the local state parks and community centers near Scottsbluff  and Chadron, NE. Recurring family programs include annual State Park Bioblitzes, Family Nature Nights, Migration Celebration, and other community outreach programs in the Nebraska Panhandle. 

BIOBLITZES

A BioBlitz is a citizen science event where members of the community join natural resource experts to conduct a species inventory of a natural area in a 24-hour period. BioBlitzes actively involve members of the community in a scientific endeavor that generates new knowledge and understanding. Bird Conservancy has facilitated annual BioBlitzes at Wildcat Hills State Park and Chadron State Park since 2016. Join this fun program and help us discover Nebraska’s biodiversity! Events include engaging sessions ran over the course of two days (Friday evening and Saturday morning), and can include bird surveys, bat surveys, insect surveys, wildflower walks, tree surveys, reptile surveys and more!

Family Nature Clubs

Family Nature Club is a monthly program for family groups to encourage participants to discover the wonders of nature. Each month, a different program will be presented with interactive nature explorations and outdoor skills activities. Each family group will receive their own Exploration Kit to use during the series to investigate the nature around them and to compete in challenges at home between sessions. The 2021-2022 monthly sessions will take place from 10-11 am MST at the Elks Shelter at Riverside Park in Scottsbluff, NE. Sessions will take place December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7 and June 4.  To register for upcoming Family Nature Club sessions, please visit the Events Calendar.

MIGRATION CELEBRATION

May is when Nebraska celebrates International Migratory Bird Month! Bird Conservancy facilitates a Migration Celebration event as part of the statewide celebrations. The Migration Celebration will be held at Chadron State Park during a weekend in May. Family fun will include  bird related activities, beginning bird hikes, and more!

FAMILY NATURE NIGHTS

Bird Conservancy partners with local Nebraska natural resource organizations to bring a “nature fair” styled Family Nature Night to your school, church, or community center. Family Nature Nights are two hour programs held in the evening that allow the whole family to speak with biologists, play games, create take home crafts, and participate in activities designed to share the wonder of Nebraska’s natural resources!