The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska

10/16/2026

Making room for grasslands to thrive. 🌱

Last week, volunteers joined our TNC Nebraska team at Folsom Point Preserve to help remove woody vegetation spreading into the grasslands.

While trees and shrubs are important parts of many ecosystems, their spread into open grasslands can crowd out native plants and reduce habitat for wildlife that depends on these wide-open spaces. Removing encroaching woody vegetation helps maintain healthy prairies and gives native grasses and wildflowers room to grow.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and lent a hand in caring for grasslands!

10/13/2026

Across the Great Plains, the spread of trees into grasslands is changing these landscapes and the habitats wildlife depend on.

TNC’s Chris Helzer and Brian Obermeyer shared their perspectives with Grist.org about this growing challenge and how conservation practices like prescribed burns and grazing can help keep grasslands healthy.

Read the full article:

Trees are usually seen as climate heroes. But across the Plains states, "woody encroachment" is crowding out the prairie.

10/12/2026

Small beginnings can grow into lasting conservation impact. 🌱

At Platte River Prairies in Nebraska, our team is collecting native seed to help bring greater plant diversity back to existing prairies where important species have become less abundant or are missing altogether.

Rather than starting a prairie from scratch, the team is using a technique called overseeding, spreading native seed directly into established grasslands to add species that are missing or less abundant. This work focuses especially on native wildflowers that bloom from midsummer through fall, providing more resources for pollinators and wildlife while helping build a more diverse prairie.

Over time, seed collection and overseeding can help strengthen hundreds of acres, showing how conservation can grow from a handful of seeds to a healthier, more diverse landscape.

📸: Sarah Kennings

10/10/2026

Five stars from the Great Plains’ most frequent flyers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This World Migratory Bird Day, we’re celebrating the incredible journeys birds make each year. These seasonal travels can span thousands of miles, with birds relying on places along the way where they can rest, refuel and find the resources they need to keep moving.

Across Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, grasslands, wetlands, rivers and other habitats help support birds making their way through the Great Plains.

You can help make their journey a little easier at home, too. Turn off unnecessary lights at night during migration and make windows safer for birds by using visible patterns or markers on the outside of the glass.

Keep an eye on the sky to see who might be passing through.

10/09/2026

Bison sightings along Norden Road! 🦬

Roundup season is getting underway at Niobrara Valley Preserve, which means bison may be spending more time in pastures closer to Norden Road.

The annual roundup is an important part of caring for the herd, giving our team an opportunity to conduct health checkups and gather information that helps guide ongoing management. In preparation, our team has also been hard at work repairing and replacing fencing, welding, adding new pens and getting everything ready for the roundup.

If you're visiting the preserve, keep an eye out as you travel along Norden Road. You just might catch a glimpse of the herd!

📸: Kate Samuelson

10/08/2026

The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska is hiring an Indigenous Partnerships Specialist.

This role will help build and strengthen relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities across Nebraska, working in support of Tribal and Indigenous conservation priorities and Indigenous led conservation.

As part of TNC Nebraska’s conservation team, the Indigenous Partnerships Specialist will serve as a primary liaison with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities while working alongside TNC teams and partners on efforts related to Tribal history, Tribal Sovereignty and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

Interested in bringing your experience in relationship building and conservation to this work?

Learn more and apply: https://nature.ly/4rPVzJP

📸: Chris Helzer

10/07/2026

Sometimes the best classroom is outside. 🌾

Students from 24 Nebraska high schools recently gathered at The Nature Conservancy’s Platte River Prairies for the 2026 South Central Land Evaluation Contest hosted by Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Throughout the day, students put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice, studying soils and getting a closer look at the characteristics that shape Nebraska’s landscapes.

We were glad to welcome students to the preserve and provide a place for hands on learning, exploration and a little friendly competition along the way.

Learn more about the contest and results from Central Nebraska Today: https://nature.ly/3TlJkIc

📸: Cody Miller

10/05/2026

What do healthy grasslands mean for ranchers?

TNC’s Chris Helzer recently joined the Beef Unscripted podcast from American Cattlemen to talk about the connection between grassland conservation and productive ranching.

The conversation explores woody plant encroachment, the importance of keeping grasslands open and productive, and how management tools like prescribed burns can support both the land and the people who depend on it.

🎧 Hear the full conversation: https://nature.ly/4zfzeYu

I have to admit, when someone first suggested I interview Chris Helzer about woody plant encroachment, I wasn't sure how many cattle producers would find the topic interesting.  Trees? Brush? Prairies? How does that compete with markets, drought, input costs, and....

10/01/2026

What does it take to care for Nebraska's prairies in a changing landscape?

TNC's Chris Helzer and Nebraska TNC board member Stacy Laravie joined the conversation with Flatwater Free Press, sharing their perspectives on Nebraska’s grasslands and how our understanding and care of these places continues to evolve.

Read the full story: https://nature.ly/4ytqlKZ

The state used to be 98% prairie. Agriculture, urban development and heavy grazing changed that.

09/30/2026

Due to forecasted weather, the Folsom Point Volunteer Day has been postponed. The event will now take place on Wednesday, October 7 from 3-6:30 p.m.

We hope you'll still be able to join us as we come together to care for this special place. Thank you for your flexibility, and we look forward to seeing you on October 7!

There's now more time to sign up and join us in the field: https://nature.ly/47xapeA