The Beed’s Landing boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will close to access Sept. 9-19 to allow for concrete work and improvements.

Visitors might see machinery and site preparations beginning prior to the closure. The project will enhance accessibility by improving the connection from the Americans with Disabilities Act trailer parking slip to the top of the ramp. New sidewalks will be added along the length of the ramp to improve access to docks.

Recent repairs also were completed at Powder Horn boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area, where winter heaving had damaged the launch. A center section of the ramp was replaced while lake levels were low. The ramp will reopen once water levels rise. A new roll-in dock system is expected to be installed at the ramp ahead of next boating season.

All work is being completed by Nebraska Game and Parks’ Engineering Division and the Operations and Construction team, with funding provided through Game Cash.

To view an interactive map of public boating waters in Nebraska, go to OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/.

Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt is Oct. 19

Youth ages 11-15 may register for the Ash Hollow Youth Mentored Waterfowl Hunt, which is Oct. 19 at Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area near Lewellen.

In addition to a mentored hunt with a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officer, this free event includes learning stations, lunch, door prizes and raffles. There will be a drawing for a youth lifetime hunt permit.

Hunter check-in begins at 8 a.m. Mountain time at the Clear Creek WMA office. Then they will go through the following learning stations: firearm safety, decoy placement, zones of fire, blind safety, duck calling, trap shooting, dog demonstration, boating skills and safety, and waterfowl identification.

Hunters must have completed a hunter education course. The morning workshop will be considered a Hunt Safe Session. Space is limited to 25 hunters. Preference is given to hunters who have never been on this hunt in the past.

Register by contacting Tamara Cooper at Ash Hollow State Historical Park at 308-778-7708 or tamara.cooper@nebraska.gov. Direct event questions to Jerod Hahn at 308-520-5539 or jerod.hahn@nebraska.gov.

This event is sponsored by Game and Parks’ Law Enforcement, Wildlife, Parks, and Fish and Wildlife Education divisions.

Train to be a Master Naturalist in October

People interested in becoming a Nebraska Master Naturalist may sign up for the Fall Core 24 training at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River.

The workshop on Oct. 17-18 and 24-25 allows participants to learn about Nebraska’s natural resources and achieve Master Naturalist In-Training status.

The training is 5-9 p.m. Oct. 17 and 24, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25. The cost is $200. All sessions must be attended. Apply online at NEMasterNaturalist.org/apply-now.

The Nebraska Master Naturalist Program is an adult conservation and environmental education program that uses indoor presentations on flora, fauna, ecology and more, in combination with hands-on field experiences to teach volunteers.

Certified Master Naturalists and Naturalists-in-training are recognized across the state as dedicated natural resource conservation volunteers who provide volunteer service through a variety of skill sets.

Graduates of Core 24 courses must complete 36 hours of continuing education opportunities by Dec. 31 of the following year to become fully certified.

To see frequently asked questions, visit nemasternaturalist.org/about-us/frequent-questions.html.

Direct questions to Nebraska Master Naturalist Program Coordinator Jamie Bachmann at jamie.bachmann@nebraska.gov.

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