Podcasts about parks commission

Game and Parks crews stock millions of fish into Nebraska's lakes every year to keep fish populations high at popular lakes and to replenish lakes where fish either aren't living quite as long or aren't reproducing enough. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission explains why certain Nebraska lakes get stocked and with what fish species.

Have you ever struggled to find areas to hunt? Especially in Nebraska, where over 97% of the state is privately owned land, access to hunting can be difficult to come by. We know from previous research that a lack of access is also a top reason why people stop hunting or don't start at all. But public access programs like Open Fields and Waters and the Nebraska Community Access Partnership are tackling this issue head-on. For any hunter interested, these programs provide access to quality private lands to hunt; for landowners, it's another way to bring in a little extra income. This month we are joined by Adam Kester, Access Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Addie Piernicky, NCAP Coordinating Wildlife Biologist at Pheasants Forever, to learn all about how these programs are transforming hunting access in Nebraska and beyond.   Resources: Nebraska Community Access Partnership Open Fields & Waters (website) Open Fields and Waters: Expanding Hunter Opportunity (via YouTube) Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Offices: Alliance: 308-763-2940, Bassett: 402-684-2921, Kearney: 308-865-5310, Lincoln: 402-471-5561, Norfolk: 402-370-3374, North Platte: 308-535-8025   Addie Piernicky [website] Adam Kester [website] Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [website] AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]   Watch these podcasts on YouTube If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!   Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin  

Have you ever struggled to find areas to hunt? Especially in Nebraska, where over 97% of the state is privately owned land, access to hunting can be difficult to come by. We know from previous research that a lack of access is also a top reason why people stop hunting or don't start at all. But public access programs like Open Fields and Waters and the Nebraska Community Access Partnership are tackling this issue head-on. For any hunter interested, these programs provide access to quality private lands to hunt; for landowners, it's another way to bring in a little extra income. This month we are joined by Adam Kester, Access Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Addie Piernicky, NCAP Coordinating Wildlife Biologist at Pheasants Forever, to learn all about how these programs are transforming hunting access in Nebraska and beyond.    Resources:  Nebraska Community Access Partnership  Open Fields & Waters (website)  Open Fields and Waters: Expanding Hunter Opportunity (via YouTube)  Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Offices: Alliance: 308-763-2940, Bassett: 402-684-2921, Kearney: 308-865-5310, Lincoln: 402-471-5561, Norfolk: 402-370-3374, North Platte: 308-535-8025    Addie Piernicky [website]  Adam Kester [website]  Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]  Nathan Pflueger [website]  AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]  Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]    Watch these podcasts on YouTube  If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!    Music by Humans Win  Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin 

The physiology and behavior of wild turkeys are greatly influenced by daylight. In spring, reproductive behaviors like strutting and gobbling are triggered by longer daylight hours. Hold for a second, do humans and turkeys share reproductive hormones? Nebraska's Wild Turkey Program Manager, Carlie Saline gets into the science of turkey season. Photo Credit: © NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   Aquatic invasive species are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious threats to ecosystems, economies, and even public safety! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our award-winning hosts welcome Khristopher Stahr and Jenna Paugels from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to dive into the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water's surface.   From zebra mussels clogging waterways to invasive carp disrupting food chains, Christopher and Jenna break down the biggest offenders in Nebraska and how they spread—often through human activity. But don't worry, you can be part of the solution! Learn simple but effective steps to stop the spread, like cleaning your gear, disposing of bait properly, and never releasing aquarium pets into the wild.   Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on how invasive species reshape aquatic habitats and what we can all do to protect our waters. Prevention is key, and it starts with you!   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.

A proposed state budget from Gov. Jim Pillen includes cuts to several water recreation projects in Nebraska. But a bill from Sen. Barry DeKay would give authority to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to carry out other, cheaper park enhancements. DeKay, who represents a northeast Nebraska district that includes Lewis and Clark Lake and Niobrara State Park, said in a hearing Wednesday his legislation will help get projects across the finish line despite potential budget cuts.

A proposed state budget from Gov. Jim Pillen includes cuts to several water recreation projects in Nebraska. But a bill from Sen. Barry DeKay would give authority to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to carry out other, cheaper park enhancements. DeKay, who represents a northeast Nebraska district that includes Lewis and Clark Lake and Niobrara State Park, said in a hearing Wednesday his legislation will help get projects across the finish line despite potential budget cuts.

This week, Randy and I are kicking off a series about public land transfer and how the same old ideas of selling and transferring public lands are popping back up. We'll revisit how Utah has been pushing the idea of transferring federal land to the state and how the Supreme Court recently shut them down. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case was certainly a win for public land advocates, but this idea and movement are not going away anytime soon. So, Randy is going to break down the idea of land transfer topic by topic over the next few weeks. Legislatures across the country are now in session, and there are plenty of good things that could benefit hunters and public land users, but there are also a LOT of bad bills that could make things worse for us. In Montana, a hot-button bill that immediately raised eyebrows was one to prohibit the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission from closing down rut hunting of mule deer within the state. In Wyoming, a bipartisan bill has been filed that would make corner crossing legal across the entire state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently rejected petitions from Montana and Wyoming to delist grizzly bears as threatened from the Endangered Species List. In Oregon, the Army Corps of Engineers plans to draw down Detroit Lake by around 55 feet, essentially temporarily transforming the system back into a river to help juvenile salmon migrate downstream and more easily pass through the dam. The National Elk Refuge is reevaluating its elk feeding program, where thousands of elk are concentrated and fed every year in northwestern Wyoming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month we are joined by Luke Meduna, Big Game Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to talk about all things deer-related, from hunting and disease to the inside scoop on management.  Resources: Big Game Guide 2024 Big Game Recommendations River Anterless Nebraska Unit Map Nebraska Game and Parks Commission   Luke Meduna [website] Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [website] AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]   Watch these podcasts on YouTube If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!   Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin  

This month we are joined by Luke Meduna, Big Game Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to talk about all things deer-related, from hunting and disease to the inside scoop on management.    Resources:  Big Game Guide  2024 Big Game Recommendations  River Anterless Nebraska Unit Map  Nebraska Game and Parks Commission    Luke Meduna [website]  Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]  Nathan Pflueger [website]  AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]  Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]    Watch these podcasts on YouTube  If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!    Music by Humans Win  Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin 

The Way It Is Now: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City closed certain public streets to private motor vehicles, reserving the streets as public open space for recreational purposes. These closures included the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard (Upper Great Highway), adjacent to Ocean Beach. In May 2022, the City replaced the pandemic restrictions on the Upper Great Highway with a pilot program closing the Upper Great Highway to private motor vehicles on Friday afternoons, weekends and holidays. The closure does not apply to emergency vehicles, official government vehicles, intra-park transit shuttle buses and similar vehicles authorized to transport people. This pilot program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. When the pilot program ends, the Upper Great Highway will be open to private motor vehicles. The City's General Plan sets objectives and policies for land uses within San Francisco, including streets. The California Coastal Act guides land uses along the California coast. Changes in use to the Upper Great Highway may require amendments to the General Plan and approvals under the California Coastal Act. The Recreation and Parks Commission has jurisdiction over most public parks and other recreational facilities in San Francisco, including the Upper Great Highway. Under the Commission's direction, the Recreation and Parks' General Manager oversees the use of those recreational facilities. The Proposal: Proposition K is an ordinance that would allow the City to use the Upper Great Highway for public open recreation space, permanently closing it to private motor vehicles seven days a week, with limited exceptions. It would continue to allow emergency vehicles, official government vehicles, intra-park transit shuttle buses and similar authorized vehicles to access the Upper Great Highway at all times. The General Manager of the Recreation and Parks Department would have the authority to determine an emergency exists and allow private motor vehicles to use the Upper Great Highway. Proposition K would require, within 180 days of voter approval of this measure, the City to seek any other approvals necessary to permanently close the Upper Great Highway to private motor vehicles. Those approvals may include amendments to the City's General Plan and approvals under the California Coastal Act. If Proposition K is passed by voters, the current pilot program would remain in place until all necessary approvals are obtained and permits granted, or, until the pilot program is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. A "YES" Vote Means: If you vote “yes,” you want the City to use the Upper Great Highway as public open recreation space, permanently closing it to private motor vehicles seven days a week, with limited exceptions. A "NO" Vote Means: If you vote “no,” you do not want the City to make these changes.

Hunting season is here, which makes it a great time to review firearms safety. Today, we are talking with Nebraska agent, Jim Fleissner, and Nebraska Television Host, Author, and Marketing and Communications Specialist for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Greg Wagner. Every hunter should brush up on firearms safety, especially if you have a few years under your belt. Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Iowa Hunter Safety Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

This month we are joined by Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, to discuss the incredible benefits that wetlands offer, the challenges facing them, and opportunities for farmers to work with wetlands.    Resources: Wetlands of Nebraska Landowner Habitat Programs in Nebraska   Ted LaGrange [email] Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [website] AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]   Watch these podcasts on YouTube If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!   Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin  

This month we are joined by Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, to discuss the incredible benefits that wetlands offer, the challenges facing them, and opportunities for farmers to work with wetlands.     Resources:  Wetlands of Nebraska  Landowner Habitat Programs in Nebraska    Ted LaGrange [email]  Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]  Nathan Pflueger [website]  AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]  Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]    Watch these podcasts on YouTube  If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!    Music by Humans Win  Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin 

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Last night's meeting was the last meeting before Boston opens schools next week. The Superintendent spent the majority of the Superintendent's Report providing key back to school updates. While the School Committee usually has received a separate full report in years past, the Superintendent listed key promising updates including 95% of hiring complete.  The School Committee's main vote of the evening was approving the Superintendent's evaluation and performance rating. There was not any public comment on the Superintendent per se, but public comments about the Superintendent's evaluation focused more on the process and criteria that the School Committee used to evaluate progress in the district and the superintendent herself. The School Committee unanimously approved the Superintendent's evaluation and performance rating. Following this vote, there was a quick report on policy revision recommendations for the student information policy and the school naming policy.  The final report of the evening was about White Stadium. Over the past year, Mayor Michelle Wu and the city have been fighting legal battles over a proposed plan to renovate White Stadium in partnership with a new professional women's soccer team. This proposed $50 million commitment from the city to renovate the stadium has been criticized for its lack of community engagement and concerns about limiting access for BPS students, even as the Mayor has said that they will not fund the project without private partnership. As the plan has gone through approval rounds by the Boston Planning and Development Agency and Parks Commission, representatives from the Mayor's office asked the School Committee last night to allow the Superintendent and district to enter into lease negotiations with the soccer team. The report last night raised many questions about access to BPS students, transportation, and long-term cost commitments from the soccer team, but these concerns were left unanswered. The School Committee will vote on this at a future meeting soon. The next School Committee meeting will be held in-person or on Zoom at 6 pm on Wednesday, September 11th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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This month we are joined by Sam Wilson, Furbearer Carnivore Program Manager at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Jason Clark, Conservation Forester at the Nebraska Forest Service, to discuss mountain lions in Nebraska.    Resources: Medullary Configurations Illustration Mountain Lion Management in Nebraska ***Updated population estimates in Nebraska (updated 6/27/2024)   Sam Wilson [website] Jason Clark [website] Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc] Nathan Pflueger [website] AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab] Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]   Watch these podcasts on YouTube If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!   Music by Humans Win Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin

This month we are joined by Sam Wilson, Furbearer Carnivore Program Manager at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Jason Clark, Conservation Forester at the Nebraska Forest Service, to discuss mountain lions in Nebraska.     Resources:  Medullary Configurations Illustration  Mountain Lion Management in Nebraska  ***Updated population estimates in Nebraska (updated 6/27/2024)    Sam Wilson [website]  Jason Clark [website]  Dr. Andrew Little [academic profile, @awesmlabdoc]  Nathan Pflueger [website]  AWESM Lab [website, @awesmlab]  Nebraska Pheasants Forever [website, @pheasants_quailforever_of_ne]    Watch these podcasts on YouTube  If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and review so others can find us!    Music by Humans Win  Produced and edited by Iris McFarlin 

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In this week's episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup Fred is joined by Jake Gould, for our lead story out of Kansas, covering the commission restructuring happening in the Bluegrass State The two talk about a bill that would rearrange how the commissioners of the Kansas Game and Parks Commission are appointed. They highlight the concern of partisan politics influencing wildlife management decisions and the importance of protecting the rights to hunt and fish. They also mention recent changes that upset some people, such as reducing non-resident deer tags and setting the non-resident turkey tag system to a lottery system. Fred also reports on various legislative developments related to hunting and conservation in other states, including two pieces of legislation in Louisiana that address hunter harassment and the use of tracking dogs. Fred also talks about the upcoming special session in New Mexico, where anti-gun and anti-sportsman bills have been proposed. He then discusses the release of initial plans for the next iteration of the Farm Bill, which includes priorities for the sporting and conservation community. Lastly, Fred mentions two bills passed by the US House of Representatives that protect access for hunters and anglers and delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. Takeaways Kansas is considering a bill that would change how the commissioners of the Kansas Game and Parks Commission are appointed, prompting concern that partisan politics could influence wildlife management decisions. Recent changes, such as reducing non-resident deer tags and setting the non-resident turkey tag system to a lottery system, have upset some people in Kansas. Louisiana's House of Representatives has passed legislation to address hunter harassment and allow the use of tracking dogs for retrieving wounded deer. New Mexico will convene a special session in July where anti-gun and anti-sportsman bills are being considered. The House and Senate have released initial plans for the next Farm Bill, which include priorities for the sporting conservation community. The US House has passed two bills that protect access for hunters and anglers and delist the gray wolf from the Threatened and Endangered Species List.   Get the FREE Sportsmen's Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of the Sportsmen's Voice Roundup Fred is joined once again by last week's feature guest, Barry Snell, for our lead story out of Colorado, following the success of the Colorado Sportsmen's Day at the Capitol. The two discuss the challenges faced due to bad weather, and the engagement of sportsmen in Colorado in spite of the challenges, the anti-gun agenda in New Mexico and the importance of citizen participation in protecting civil liberties. The conversation highlights the need for momentum and activism to counteract harmful initiatives and protect sportsmen's interests. The topics covered in the roundup include the importance of sportsmen's caucuses, the negative impacts of proposed legislation on conservation funding in Nebraska, the passing of a waiting period for firearm purchases in Maine, the reimbursement for lost conservation funding stemming from free and discounted hunting licenses in Louisiana, and the passing of a comprehensive fish and wildlife habitat bill in a House Committee. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration and finding solutions to protect conservation funding and promote responsible hunting and fishing.   Takeaways Sportsmen's caucuses play a crucial role in advocating for hunting and fishing interests and promoting responsible outdoor activities. $37 million in conservation funding was protected in Nebraska with the defeat of legislation aimed at offering free and discounted licenses and diverting funding from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, both of which were opposed by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF). Maine implemented a waiting period for firearm purchases, which was a response to a tragic event but will not effectively address the root causes of gun violence. A CSF-driven bill in Louisiana that provides reimbursement for revenue reductions resulting from free and discounted hunting and fishing licenses, protecting conservation funding passed out of a House Committee unanimously. On Capitol Hill, a House Committee passed a comprehensive fish and wildlife habitat bill led by Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Representative Bruce Westerman, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation for wildlife.   Get the FREE Sportsmen's Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Welcome, nature enthusiasts, to another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! We're thrilled to be reaching listeners in 115 countries, all 50 states, and across the beautiful Carolinas. A proud recipient of the Best of the Weeklies podcast award from the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, our podcast continues to explore the wonders of nature.   This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie dive into a thought-provoking conversation with the esteemed Monica Macoubrie from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Returning for the third time, Monica sheds light on the intriguing topic of what unfolds in the wild when life comes to an end.   From the intricacies of decomposition to the role of scavengers like foxes and vultures, we embark on a journey through the stages of this natural process. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of nature's recycling system, from the fresh state to the fascinating world of anaerobic microbes. It's an evolutionary arms race, and we're here to guide you through the wonders that occur when something dies in the wild.   As always, we invite our cherished listeners to share their thoughts—tell us where you're from and what aspects of the podcast you find most enthralling. Your feedback fuels our passion for exploring the great outdoors!   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.   While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer's Market  this Saturday morning. 

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NEBRASKA – Rules, Regulations & Non-Resident OpportunityThis week I have Greg Wagner, a Communications and Marketing Specialist for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on the podcast to discuss some of the rules, regulations and what opportunities non-residents have in the state.  Greg and I cover a lot of information and discuss the best opportunities for non-residents in the state as well as the discuss the best way to approach landowners when you are searching for some hunting area. There is a lot of great information in this podcast.  If you've ever considered hunting in Nebraska, you want to listen to this show.NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS COMMISSIONWebsite -https://outdoornebraska.govYouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@NebraskaGameandParksCommissionInstagram -https://www.instagram.com/negameandparks/OUT OF STATE HUNTERInstagram -@outofstatehunterALLTERRA ARMSWebsite - https://allterraarms.comInstagram - @allterraarmsMARSUPIAL GEARWebsite - https://www.marsupialgear.com/Instagram - @marsupialgearKODIAK CANVASWebsite - https://www.kodiakcanvas.comInstagram - @kodiakcanvas

Henrico Recreation and Parks recently committed to making its parklands and facilities 100 percent tobacco-free and vapor-free, by partnering with Share The Air to adopt a voluntary tobacco-free outdoor policy. The policy change was initiated by Y Street, a program of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and Virginia's largest youth-led movement.  On Oct. 4, Y Street members from J.R. Tucker H.S. and Highland Springs H.S. met with Henrico's Recreation & Parks Commission to present ways in which the county can enhance its parks and recreational areas and provide an outdoor experience that everyone could enjoy.   Y Street member...Article LinkSupport the show

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With fall around the corner, hunting seasons will begin to heat up. Travis Shepler is an Assistant Administrator with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission's Law Enforcement Division. In this episode, he sits down with Captain Vik, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Sheriff Wagner to talk about how public safety meets the outdoors in Lancaster County and throughout Nebraska. Travis Shepler's path to become a game warden. Game & Parks overview. Game wardens in Nebraska. How to become a conservation officer. Game & Parks enforcement within Lancaster County. Cooperation between LSO and NE G&P. Seasonal changes in the job. Common violations and enforcement issues. Larger investigations. Hunting safety and education.

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Support for Causeartist and the Disruptors for GOOD comes from: One Tree PlantedOne Tree Planted is a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation.If you are interested in being a part of global reforestation and would like to make a philanthropic donation or become a business partner, learn more here.---> Check out the Causeartist Partners here.---> Subscribe to the Causeartist Newsletter here.In episode 193 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I speak with Erica Kratofil & Ashley Williamson, Co-Executive Directors of The Giving Grove, on building out a nationwide network of orchards that provide immense immense impact to local communities.About AshleyAshley brings local and international experience in program development, community engagement, and research. She has a Master in Social Work Advocacy, Policy and Administration from the University of Kansas and is passionate about connecting people, ideas and policies. A dedicated Kansas City community member, Ashley is continuously involved in boards and leadership programs, currently serving as Secretary of Unified Government of Wyandotte Board of Parks Commission, Board Member of Community Capital Fund, Advisory Board Member for the Pride Fund Committee of Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and Advisory Committee Member for the Kansas City Young Farmers Coalition. Ashley is always looking forward to a good podcast, book, or the next time she can work in her ever-expanding vegetable garden.About EricaA social worker with 15 years' experience in nonprofit fundraising and administration, Erica brings a background in food security, housing and homelessness, and education to The Giving Grove. She is passionate about community engagement and enjoys volunteering with her family. Erica is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a Master in Social Work and Nonprofit Management from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a Board Member for The For Elysa Foundation and has served as a social work field instructor for the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.About The Giving GroveThe Giving Grove began in 2013 as a grassroots effort to make free, fresh fruits, nuts, and berries available to Kansas City neighborhoods with high rates of food insecurity. The program was launched with the understanding that an orchard must be community-led and community-driven. At the neighborhood's request, The Giving Grove helps provide the trees, supplies, and training necessary to grow a fruitful orchard.Within a few years, The Giving Grove helped install more than 100 orchards in neighborhoods throughout Kansas City that had faced decades of environmental and health inequities, creating beautiful community spaces that each produced hundreds of pounds of free, fresh produce for the neighborhood. After finding success with The Giving Grove program in Kansas City, its founders began expanding the program across the nation in 2019.Today, more than 480 of these little orchards are managed and maintained by over 800 volunteer orchard stewards in fourteen cities across the U.S, with dozens of new orchards added each year.These neighborhood orchards have thousands of fruit trees that will produce more than 64.5 million servings of free, healthy food over their lifetimes (which can be up to 50 years or more), sequester 1,000 tons of carbon, absorb about 177,632 gallons of water per storm, reduce urban flooding and soil erosion, lower urban air temperatures during the summer, reducing risks of heat-related illness, and improve soil biology through holistic orcharding techniques that avoid artificial pesticides and fertilizers, which is healthier for the earth and the people eating the fruit. ---> Check out the Causeartist Partners here.---> Subscribe to the Causeartist Newsletter here.

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The Marine Unit is a relatively new specialized unit to LSO. They are tasked with enforcement and safety operations in the many lakes and recreation areas within Lancaster County alongside our partners with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. In this episode, Deputy John Brady sits down with Captain Vik and Chief Deputy Houchin to provide an overview of the personal and professional history that led to the unit's creation along with important safety tips for visitors planning to hit the water in Lancaster County. Deputy Brady's roots. The Navy. Nebraska. His path to law enforcement. Stay necessary. The need for a Marine Unit. Overcoming obstacles. Unit mission. Equipment. Staffing. Safety tips. For more important information, check out the Nebraska Boaters Guide Deputy Brady referenced here: https://outdoornebraska.gov/guides-maps/boating-guide/.

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Peek into the past and see how women have shaped the wild places of North America, with Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. We suggest reading Monica's article along with listening to this episode! https://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2023/03/the-women-of-conservation/

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Mike was honored to be able to chat with Rex Amack, the longest serving Director in the history of the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Rex shares stories from his childhood, and tells who helped shape him into the successful leader of fish, game & natural resource conservation he became. Plus a moving story involving his dog Becker, and the grandson of a close friend on his first hunt.

Monica Macoubrie with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission returns to The Backyard Naturalists podcast to share a few incredibly interesting (and a few fascinating) animal myths with us. Can owls really spin their head, all the way around? Will a porcupine shoot quills at you from thirty paces? Will you really swallow twenty spiders during your lifetime while you sleep? Once you've listened to this episode, make sure check out Nebraska Wildlife Education on the Web, Facebook, Instagram or their YouTube Channel. Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the web, Facebook and Instagram. Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte. Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don't forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast. Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.

We're back with part two of our short series on civic engagement and in this episode we're talking about the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Listen to part one if you haven't already.Laura and Nadia are joined by KDWP Assistant Secretary, Mike Milller, and Commissioner Lauren Queal Sill, to learn about how the Commission works, how they set regulations, and also how we can get involved in making change. HostsLaura Mendenhall, Nadia ReimerSourcesAbout the CommissionContact CommissionersCommission Meetings (Dates and Agendas)Pending Draft Regulations