Fun in the Field at Platte River Prairies
The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska hosts a day of community, curiosity and conservation in action
A Nebraska Tradition
Each summer, The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska hosts a public field day at Platte River Prairies. Registration is free, snacks are provided and opportunities to experience our conservation work up close are plentiful! This July, we were thrilled to welcome folks from across Nebraska and beyond for an informative day of fun in the sun, featuring conversations with our staff and partners, wilderness hikes and hands-on activities that showcased the rich biodiversity of the prairie.
For the Birds
Birdwatching With Kojo Baidoo
We kicked things off shortly after sunrise with a birdwatching hike led by Hubbard Fellow Kojo Baidoo. Both native and migratory species were spotted by our eagle-eyed guests, and Kojo provided insights as each bird's call was heard along the West Trail. Northern bobwhite, dickcissel and common yellowthroats were just a few of the many birds spotted among the prairie’s blooms. Platte River Prairies is a great place to observe birds year-round, with public trail access available year-round from dawn until dusk.
Interested in learning more about Kojo's work? Follow him on Instagram at @kojobirder.
Research on the Prairie
Nebraska Master Naturalist Mike Schrad: Small Mammal Expert
Following our birdwatching hike and an opportunity to mix and mingle, the group had the opportunity to hear from Mike Schrad, retired wildlife biologist and Nebraska Master Naturalist. For the last 11 years, Mike has been studying the plains pocket mouse population found at the Platte, comprised of the common western subspecies and at-risk eastern subspecies. We’ve gained many valuable insights thanks to Mike’s work—including the fact that this curious critter is adaptable and resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions. Whether their habitat is heavily grazed, dense and lush, or somewhere in-between, the plains pocket mouse survives and thrives on the prairie, giving our stewardship team more confidence as they design and test land management approaches.
Attendees were given the opportunity to check Mike's traps along the east trail and were delighted to find both a thirteen-lined ground squirrel and a plains pocket mouse. After taking a closer look and hearing about their habitat preferences and life cycles, both animals were weighed and released back into the wild.
Afternoon Adventures
After two hours together, attendees split into groups for a “choose your own adventure,” of sorts, with staff and partners.
While Director of Science and Stewardship Chris Helzer led a hike focused on prairie management and ecology, Preserve Manager Cody Miller and Land Steward Rohit Balay facilitated a native seed harvest and provided an overview of our approach to habitat restoration via seed collection and dispersal.
Additional afternoon activities included catch-and-release studies of prairie invertebrates with Sarah Bailey of the Prairie Plans Resource Institute; a behind-the-scenes look at the work we've done to increase plant diversity on the property; and an opportunity to get creative with Hubbard Fellow Noelle Schumann, who guided the group through an exercise in plant identification and sketching.
Don't Miss a Moment
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Nature in Nebraska: A Year-Round Opportunity
While Field Day may have come and gone, the places we protect in Nebraska are ready for visitors throughout the year. Experience the beauty of nature no matter the season at one of our publicly accessible preserves! Get familiar and plan your visit here.
Explore More
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TNC in Nebraska is proud to host The Claire M. Hubbard Young Leaders in Conservation Fellowship Program. Get to know our 2025 Hubbard Fellows, Kojo Baidoo and Noelle Schumann!
Platte River Prairies
Located between Grand Island and Kearney, Nebraska, the Platte River Prairies are a chain of grasslands and wetlands that are managed for biological diversity.
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