The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska

06/02/2026

Nebraska's rivers are making impacts that go far beyond our state lines.

This Mississippi River Day, we’re joining 1 Mississippi in celebrating freshwater systems that play an important role in supporting wildlife, agriculture, recreation, and communities across the region.

Here in Nebraska, places like the Platte River Prairies remind us how healthy prairies and grasslands help reduce runoff, improve water quality, and provide habitats where migratory birds and other species can thrive.

When we work together to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems, like Platte River Prairies, we are not only helping care for the communities and wildlife in Nebraska but also those downstream.

Learn more about the Mississippi River Basin and what The Nature Conservancy is doing to help protect it: https://nature.ly/3PjMlWU

📸: Rory Doyle

06/01/2026

Join the team!

Are you passionate about fire management, conservation, and the landscape that surrounds you? The Nature Conservancy is hiring a Senior Burn Crew Member! From preparing fire lines to monitoring post-burn activity, you'll be at the heart of the action.

Build strong relationships within the fire community, oversee staff and volunteers during fire-related activities, join opportunities to earn advanced fire qualifications through training, support the Nebraska Fire Team working with private landowners and partners at events related to prescribed fire, and more.

This position operates throughout Nebraska, with primary responsibilities in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Learn more and apply today: https://nature.ly/3RwXgxE

📸: Chris Helzer

05/26/2026

What does conservation grazing look like in practice?

Find out at Pottawattamie Conservation’s free Grazing Field Day on Wednesday, June 17 at Hitchcock Nature Center.

Hear from experts in their fields, including The Nature Conservancy’s Amy Crouch, Little Sioux Project Director, and Chris Helzer, Nebraska Director of Science and Stewardship, on topics including grazing public lands, native forage, conservation grazing strategies, and public-private grazing partnerships. This event will also include a field tour.

Learn more and register here: https://nature.ly/43jLaKL

📸: Chris Helzer | Geof Fischer

05/22/2026

This summer, 6–8 graders can connect with nature and creativity at KANEKO's Creative Camp in partnership with The Nature Conservancy! 🌿🎨

Join KANEKO Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, for a week of hands-on activities including birdwatching, outdoor exploration, and art projects inspired by nature. Special visitors will also make appearances throughout the week to share their expertise and help campers discover even more about the natural world.

It’s a fun and engaging way for middle school students to learn about wildlife, conservation, and the environment while sparking their creativity and imagination.

Don't miss out—register today:https://nature.ly/4dhjKev

📸: KANEKO

05/18/2026

Volunteer Days at the Niobrara Valley Preserve are now open for registration!

Make a meaningful impact when you join us for one of our upcoming Volunteer Days. From habitat restoration work to assisting with a variety of maintenance projects, your time spent here helps support the long-term health of this amazing landscape.

Turn it into a full experience by joining a bison tour and camping overnight on the Preserve.

Spots are limited, fill out the form today to secure your place: https://nature.ly/4wx88M5

Please note: Volunteer Days may be canceled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. All participants must complete a registration form to attend.

05/08/2026

This spring an incredible journey is unfolding along the "whooper highway."

Through the Whooping Crane Chronicles bike ride, conservation photographer Mike Forsberg and ecologist Andy Coven are tracing the 2,500-mile migration route of the whooping crane to highlight the habitats these birds rely on from the Texas coast to the northern Great Plains.

The tour will ride along roughly 260 miles of the whooping crane migration route that passes through Nebraska’s Platte River region. These landscapes provide critical habitat, including the grasslands and wetlands of TNC’s Platte River Prairies Preserve, offering not only whooping cranes but a wide variety of migratory birds a place to rest and refuel before continuing their journey.

Learn more: https://nature.ly/42ibAw6

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, look up!

You don’t need fancy gear or expert knowledge to start birdwatching in Nebraska—just a little curiosity and a willingness to notice what’s around you.

Check out these 4 simple tips to get started birding, from staying close to home to tuning in by sight and sound.

04/21/2026

The Nature Conservancy was proud to join our community partner Mulhall's for their Earth Day celebration in the Greenhouse, kicking off the season with a shared love for plants, people, and the planet.

As Mulhall’s round-up donation partner, guests were invited to round up their purchases at the register to support The Nature Conservancy’s work to protect land and water in Nebraska and around the world. Our team was on site throughout the afternoon, connecting with the community, answering questions, and sharing how everyday actions—like rounding up at checkout—can create meaningful impact for nature.

Surrounded by live music, local food, and fellow missiondriven partners, the event was a joyful reminder of how local businesses and community members can come together to care for our Earth!

04/08/2026

Honoring the legacy of Teresa Otte. A true champion for row crop conservation.

Teresa was deeply committed to caring for the land. In 2021, she partnered with The Nature Conservancy and the Upper Big Blue NRD through the Nebraska Soil Carbon Project, supporting the use of cover crops on her row crop operation. Her impact extended beyond her own fields. Teresa showed up by attending outreach events, sharing her experiences with other producers, and serving as a mentor through Nebraska’s Conservation Mentorship Network, led by the Center for Rural Affairs in partnership with TNC.

In recognition of her leadership and commitment, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Nebraska honored Teresa with their 2025/2026 Farmer of the Year Award. We’re grateful for her partnership with TNC and for the lasting example she set for producers across our state.

Watch the video to learn more about Teresa’s story and impact:

Teresa Otte passed away in the fall of 2025. Her legacy lives on in the healthy soils she restored, the wildlife habitat she established, and the example she...

04/06/2026

Hiking, fishing and other outdoor recreation activities are about more than just adventure. It’s also a big piece of the U.S. economy. Outdoor recreation alone pumps more than $640 billion into the U.S. economy, making up 2.3% of our national GDP and supporting nearly 5 million jobs every year.

And wildlife-focused recreation, like fishing and hunting? That’s another $395 billion in economic activity. But none of this exists without one thing: healthy, accessible nature. Investing in conservation isn't just good for nature—it’s smart economic policy.

Explore TNC's new Nature’s Dividends report to learn more: https://nature.ly/46KmBc5