Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program. Our program recruits, trains, manages, and provides resources for our volunteer naturalist members.
We use four strategies to meet Nebraska’s conservation needs, Habit Stewardship, Community Science, Environmental Education & Interpretation, and Outdoor Recreation & Skills.
This free webinar series will host a variety of presenters and subject matter within these four conservation strategies. Master Naturalist Mondays is a space to connect us to our conservation motivations and inspirations, and our naturalist community across the state of Nebraska.
For questions regarding this free virtual series contact Jamie Bachmann, jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov
Save the Dates (Check back for updates)
Monthly on Mondays 12:30pm-1:30pm CST
All webinars will be recorded and found HERE.
January 22nd, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register HERE
New Beginnings
Description: Let's start off 2024 with a program update and meet & greet with your new state coordinator.
Presenter: Jamie Bachmann, Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, State Coordinator
February 26th, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register HERE
Remembering Our Nature: Rebuilding Connections to Heal the Land
As naturalists and conservationists, we regularly form connections with the land and the creatures who live there. Unfortunately, too many humans have lost those relationships - with dire consequences for our own well-being and that of our planet. How can we, as educators, think about healing these broken connections? In this talk, we will explore what’s possible when we, and those we serve, come home to ourselves in nature. To prepare, please bring a natural item (e.g., leaf, pinecone, feather, houseplant).
Presenter: Melissa Breazile, Founder and Guide- Wild Tree Collaborative, LLC
Presenter Bio: Melissa Breazile is the founder of Wild Tree Collaborative, where she facilitates nature-based experiences to help adults and youth find connection with themselves and with nature. Based in Omaha, NE, Melissa is a Kripalu Certified Mindful Outdoor Guide and a Nebraska Master Naturalist, with a background in nonprofit communications and public policy work. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, trying new food, and saying hi to all the trees.
https://www.facebook.com/wildtreecollab
March 25th, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register HERE
Unlawning Suburbia
A crash course in why and how to convert from lawn to designed meadow gardens, including plant research, installation, and management.
Presenter: Benjamin Vogt, Design & Author- Monarch Gardens LLC
Presenter Bio: Benjamin Vogt is owner of the design firm Monarch Gardens and author of two books: A New Garden Ethic and Prairie Up. His work has appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Dwell, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Midwest Living, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
Milk the Weed -- https://www.facebook.com/MonarchGardensLLC
April 22nd, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Framing Nature: Education through Photography
Humans are inherently visual creatures and the media-rich world that we currently live in amplifies our need for visual stimuli. This presentation will dive into why visual aids are important, how they can be used to educate the public, and why photography is a powerful teaching tool.
Presenter: Brianna Nugent, Administrative Technician/Environmental Educator- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Master Naturalist
Presenter Bio: I was Active Duty for 7 years and served 5 years in the Nebraska Air National Guard. While I was finishing my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science in 2021 I also became certified as a Nebraska Master Naturalist. I am now working with the incredible NGPC Fish and Wildlife Education Division and I have the NMN Program to thank for that! Photography has always been a passion of mine and I recently discovered the small world of macrophotography.
May 20th, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Low-tech Process Based Restoration in Nebraska
LTPBR as a method for stream restoration is rapidly gaining momentum in the states to the west of us. While most people's minds jump straight to beaver dam analogs, these are only one tool in the chest. Tune in for a run down on Nebraska's unique stream resources, the challenges they face, and some discussion on where LTPBR might be an applicable solution.
Presenter: Cassidy Wessel, Wildlife Biologist- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Presenter Bio: Cassidy grew up on the Loup and Platte Rivers by Columbus, and received a degree in biology and environmental science from Wayne State. She worked as a Farm Bill Biologist in a partnership role with Pheasants Forever, NGPC and NRCS from 2010-2016, and has been with NGPC since 2016. Both roles are private lands work, where biologists spend their days helping landowners find ways to put habitat on the ground, often through identifying the shared goals of agriculture and wildlife conservation.
June 24th, 2024 I 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
An exploration of the history of fire in the Great Plains and why and how it's currently used in Nebraska.
Presenter: Ashley Yost, Prescribed Fire Specialist, Nebraska Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Presenter Bio: Ashley Yost grew up in Iowa, but has been working in conservation in Nebraska for four years. She's passionate about assisting landowners in implementing prescribed fire and helping them meet their land management goals. In her free-time, Ashley likes to fish, read, and go on hikes with her husband and two dogs.
July 22nd, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Burrowing Owls: Getting to Know the Critter on the Nebraska Master Naturalist Logo
The Burrowing Owl is one of the most charming bird species in Nebraska (and probably the world). Unfortunately, it is a species of conservation concern throughout much of its range. In this presentation, Jason will discuss the life history of Burrowing Owls, provide some tips for finding and observing them, and suggest some possible ways to benefit them based on research.
Presenter: Jason Thiele, Wildlife Biologist- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Presenter Bio: Jason Thiele is a wildlife biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission whose main focus is wildlife conservation on private lands in Northeast Nebraska. His favorite bird is the Burrowing Owl, and his second-favorite is the Long-billed Curlew (in case you were wondering). Jason lives near Norfolk with his wife and four sons.
August 19th, 2024 I 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Wild Bees of Nebraska
This presentation will cover the diversity of wild bees in the state: how many species, various life histories and nesting strategies, and how we can support them.
Presenter: Katie Lamke, Conservation Biologist, The Xerces Society
Presenter Bio: Katie Lamke is a conservation biologist who works to protect and advocate for native bees. For the past five years, she has been coordinating the Bumble Bee Atlas to engage folks in bumble bee conservation. Katie earned her MS in entomology through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying the interactions of bees and flowers across remnant and restored prairies.
September 16th, 2024 I 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Collaborating with Partners is a Key to Successful Wetland Conservation in Nebraska
Nebraska has a long history of collaborative conservation to help deliver wetland conservation across the state. The talk will describe several of the partnership efforts, discuss the keys to making them successful, and describe the positive benefits they have on wetland conservation.
Presenter: Ted LaGrange, Wetland Program Manager, Nebraska Game and Parks
Presenter Bio: Ted has worked as the Wetland Program Manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for 31 years. As Wetland Program Manager he works on a wide variety of wetland issues throughout Nebraska including partnerships, private land restoration programs, public lands management, research, regulations, and outreach. Prior to moving to Nebraska, he worked for 8 years as a Waterfowl Research Technician for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and received B.S. and M.S. degrees in wildlife biology from Iowa State University.
October 21st, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Motus Wildlife Tracking System in Nebraska
I will describe the world wide Motus system role in Nebraska and how to use the publicly available information. What the future plan for expansion of Motus in Nebraska and how Master Naturalists can get involved.
Presenter: Glenn Pollock, Citizen Scientist
Presenter Bio: I have installed six Motus receiving stations in Iowa and Nebraska. I first started working to save the natural world in 1970. My profession was in Biomedical Equipment technician where I did human telemetry in hospitals, a skill I have applied to bird tracking telemetry.
I have been active with restoration and restoring lands in Iowa and Nebraska since 1972. I specialized in tall grass prairie and some wetland work. I have recorded over 125 Prairie Pioneer Cemeteries through the Midwest and stewardship for four virgin prairie in Iowa and Nebraska.
November 18th, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Urban Wildlife
While we accept the idea of encountering a deer or a raccoon while camping in a state park or walking along a hiking trail, we are not always so keen on encountering them in our backyards and on our streets! Still, the very idea of urban expansion means that, necessarily, wild areas will shrink. The animals that already lived in those woods, wetlands, forests and grasslands were there first, and are not always willing or able to move. This can lead to points of contact with humans. In this presentation we will look at the kinds of wildlife we encounter in Eastern Nebraska, why it is there, and what we can do to live with these wild creatures in our spaces.
Presenter: Dr. Gabrielle Tegeder, Adjunct Professor of Geology and Geography UNO
Presenter Bio: Dr. Tegeder is a Nebraska native with research interests in animal geography, geoscience education, and wetlands hydrology. She has taught classes at UNO, UNL, Metro Community College, and Midland University, and taught science summer camps at UNO's Aim for the Stars for 24 years. She has also volunteered for the Nebraska Humane Society, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Inc, and Nebraska Master Naturalist programs.
December 16th, 2024 I 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (CST) Register Here
Join the Community Scientists of Nebraska Network to explore the expanding role of community science in wildlife and conservation research across the state. Discover how this collaborative approach is transforming public engagement and education, and learn how you can contribute to local community science opportunities.
Presenter: Dr. Louise Lynch, Assistant Professor of Insect Biology & Insect Science Program Coordinator, Nebraska One Health Extension Coordinator
Presenter Bio: Dr. Louise Lynch- O'Brien works at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln as an Assistant Professor of Insect Biology & the Insect Science Program Coordinator. She also serves as the Nebraska One Health Extension Coordinator. She is passionate about community science and works to increase knowledge of and participation in community science through the Community Scientists of Nebraska Network.
