Life Sciences Commons^™

Mammals Of Cedar Breaks National Monument, S. Nicole Frey, Natalie D'Souza, Ethan Hammer, Bryan Larsen, Jake Nielson

All Current Publications

This document is the result of a study of the terrestrial mammals found at Cedar Breaks National Monument from 2017-2019. During this time, we conducted a survey of mammals using a series of trail cameras. We used survey results to provide an index of terrestrial mammals (excluding bats) within the park. Our goal is to provide a beginner’s guide to the mammals at Cedar Breaks National Monument. We include information regarding appearance, diet, habitat, and population status according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The guide represents the species a visitor to Cedar Breaks National Monument …

G04-1529 Controlling Pond Plant Growth With Bottom Barriers, Tadd M. Barrow, John C. Holz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Rooted aquatic plants are a natural part of the lake ecosystem and comprise a critical component of a healthy lake. They stabilize shorelines, oxygenate water, provide cover and spawning areas for fish, and provide habitat for aquatic invertebrates that are critical for juvenile fish growth.

Although plants are an important part of a lake's ecosystem, it's important to control their growth to assure a healthy, aesthetic environment. This NebGuide offers ideas for controlling plant growth.

Backyard Wildlife - Bird Houses And Shelves, Ron J. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Providing bird houses and shelves can be a fun and rewarding part of a wildlife program. It doesn't matter where you live - in an apartment, townhouse, or single family dwelling in a town, a suburb, or the country, you can attract birds by providing the proper nesting structure. Birds such as black-capped chickadees, purple martins, or bluebirds are cavity nesters and can benefit from bird houses. Other birds like the American robin and the barn swallow will use open nesting structures. A well-built house that is durable, rainproof, cool, and easy to clean can add to the attractiveness of …

Ec01-150 Range Judging Handbook And Contest Guide For Nebraska, James T. Nichols, Peter N. Jensen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Range judging contests can be a challenging and effective learning tool for everyone - youth, adults, beginners, professionals - whether from rural or urban areas. This circular provides information about Nebraska's rangelands and grasslands. It is designed to help individuals and teams prepare for range judging contests and to learn more about rangeland and its management. Each of the nine sections that follow corresponds to a section on the range judging scorecard used in contests.

Ec98-787 Glossary Of Ecosystem Terms, Thomas G. Franti, R. Herpel, G.R. Lingle

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This extension circular contains ecosystem definitions from abiotic to wildlife refuge.

Nf98-375 What Is The "Cooperative Agreement" For Endangered Species Habitat Along The Central Platte River?, Gary R. Lingle, Thomas G. Franti

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The governors of Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming and the Secretary of the Interior signed a historic agreement on July 1, 1997. This agreement addresses endangered species issues affecting the Platte River Basin upstream of its confluence with the Loup River. The Cooperative Agreement for Platte River Research and Other Efforts Relating to Endangered Species Habitats Along the Central Platte River, Nebraska provides funding and an administrative structure to allow the states and the federal government to work together in enhancing water and land resources for endangered species. The agreement has two main objectives: 1. To develop and implement a "recovery …

Ec98-148 Grassland Management With Prescribed Fire, John Ortmann, Daniel D. Beran, Robert A. Masters, James L. Stubbendieck

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This circular provides an overview of the use of fire in grassland management. It describes the history and importance of fire in the grassland ecosystem, how plants respond to fire, and the uses and potential benefits of prescribed fire. It also summarizes fire planning, and legal and safety considerations. And finally, it provides guidance on some special uses of fire.

G97-1332 Backyard Wildlife Tips For Success (Revised August 2003), Ron J. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The fifth in the backyard wildlife series, this NebGuide describes tips for success in bird feeding, adding water, birds to expect, dealing with nuisance wildlife, and others. Bring the mystery, color, and wonder of nature to your home and provide a helping hand for wildlife at the same time. Songbirds, butterflies, and even fish or turtles in a backyard pool provide an open window for nature observation, an opportunity often lost in nonfarm environments. Awareness of migrating songbirds can increase interest in global connectivity, with return of migrants from Mexico and South and Central America during spring, and return during …

G97-1331 Backyard Wildlife To Feed A Hummingbird, Ron J. Johnson, Donald H. Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The sixth in the backyard wildlife series, this NebGuide describes plants and nectar feeding for attracting hummingbirds to your backyard in Nebraska. Four species of hummingbirds are found in Nebraska, one in the east and three in the west. Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate through eastern Nebraska in spring and fall, and some nest here, mostly along the Missouri river valley. Typically, ruby-throat migration in Nebraska peaks about May 5-17 and September 2-18, but northward migration may occur from April to June and southward flights from August to early October. Broad-tailed and rufous hummingbirds are seen in the Nebraska panhandle during fall …

Nf94-206 Common Ground: The Case Of Seasonally Inundated Cropland, William Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Increasing waterfowl migration habitat has been a goal of many groups and individuals for decades. Individuals have provided money for habitat by supporting private organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, and through the purchase of hunting licenses, duck stamps, and habitat stamps. All these activities have helped, but funds have been limited so it has not been possible to provide enough wetland space for the migrating waterfowl.

This NebFact discusses cost effective ways to provide more waterfowl migration habitat on seasonally inundated crops and a seasonal strategy that could provide habitat for geese and ducks during the spring and fall migration …

Ec91-1767 Windbreaks For Rural Living, James R. Brandle, Teresa K. Boes, Bruce Wight

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In many parts of the United States, the constant force of the wind exaggerates daily weather conditions and can make living in these areas seem unbearable. A well-designed windbreak around the home, ranch, or farmstead slows the wind and improves the overall environment. Farm and ranch windbreaks conserve energy, provide snow control, improve working and recreational environments, enhance wildlife populations, provide visual screening and dust control, and increase the production of various wood and food products.

Ranch and farmstead windbreaks provide the greatest benefits in areas with high winds, large amounts of snow, extreme temperature fluctuations, or minimal natural forest …

G84-672 Backyard Wildlife Making It Come Alive, Ron J. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide, the last in a series of four, provides "how-to" ideas for getting the most enjoyment from backyard wildlife. Inviting wildlife to your backyard can be enjoyable, educational, and fun for the whole family. A backyard can offer the fascination of a robin's nest or cardinal's song, the scurry of a squirrel, the speed of a dragonfly, and the beauty of a hummingbird or butterfly at a flower. Wildlife photography is another opportunity. Some of the best songbird photographs have been taken from a blind in a backyard or through a back window. And, songbirds are only one of …

Ec84-1757 Who's Who In Great Plains Songbirds, Ron J. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Habitat is where wildlife live. It contains all things needed for survival, such as shelter, food, water, and space. There are different types of habitat, each supporting different kinds of wildlife. Examples of habitat types include woodlands or areas with trees, grasslands, old fields, brushy areas, or wetlands.

This publication describes several favorite birds and includes information on their special habitat needs, unique characteristics, nesting sites, where they are found, and their habits or behavior. If you want to help the feathered wildlife described in this publication - or just about any wildlife for that matter - think habitat. You …

G83-669 Backyard Wildlife Feeding Birds (Revised May 1997), Ron J. Johnson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The first in a series of six, this NebGuide describes the essentials of bird feeding for attracting birds to your backyard. Bird feeding is a popular and convenient way to observe birds up close, and it augments the primary habitat formed by backyard and neighborhood plantings. Nebraska is an excellent place to discover the joys of learning about birds, with nearly 400 bird species, 200 of which nest in the state. Bird feeding can provide regular observation of 15 to 20 or more species that commonly come to backyard feeders.

Ec75-1427 Ponds For Nebraskans, Philip S. Gipson, Darrell E. Feit, Jerry W. Morris

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraskans construct ponds for a variety of reasons. Early ponds were usually constructed to provide water for livestock. Today they are for soil and water conservation, livestock water supply, and recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, and picnicking. The trend is to design ponds for multiple use and benefit.

This extension circular includes information on where and how to build a pond; farm pond design; wildlife planting and erosion control; control of water plants; wildlife plants for farm ponds; and managing for sport fishing.