Papio NRD brings Nebraska Wildlife Up Close During Library Presentation

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A woman holding a snake while presenting in front of an American flag and a television screen.

Children and families had the opportunity to meet some of Nebraska’s native wildlife up close during a special presentation hosted at the Bennington Public Library as part of their summer reading program on Wednesday, July 22.

Presented by Papio NRD Natural Resources Educator Kaylyn Kelley, the interactive program introduced attendees to several native reptiles and amphibians while teaching the importance of conservation, habitat protection and respecting the wildlife that calls Nebraska home.

A presenter holds a turtle shell while engaging with an audience of children in a classroom setting.

Among the animal ambassadors were Junior, a 4-year-old common snapping turtle (pictured above), one of Nebraska’s eight aquatic turtle species, and Gramps, a 55-year-old box turtle, the state’s only terrestrial turtle species.

Families also met three of Nebraska’s 29 snake species, including Harley, a 15-year-old hognose snake, Foxy the western fox snake and Ratatouille the black rat snake. The presentation also featured Sal the tiger salamander and Gus the Woodhouse’s toad (seen below).

A woman in a blue sweatshirt demonstrates something while holding an object in her hand, with an American flag in the background.

Kelley said her biggest hope is that children leave with a greater appreciation for the wildlife living right here in Nebraska.

She wants everyone “to respect and appreciate the wildlife we have around,” Kelley said.

She said it’s easy for children to become fascinated with exotic animals from around the world, but learning about the creatures found in their own backyards is just as valuable.

Two women speaking in front of a group of children in a classroom setting, with a display promoting the Papio Missouri River NRD and the theme 'Unearth a Story.'
Youth Services Librarian, Johnna Ware (right) introduces Papio NRD Natural Resources Educator Kaylyn Kelley (left).

“You ask a kid what their favorite animal is and they say a giraffe or something,” Kelley said. “But there’s a lot of really cool things that are right here that we can learn a lot about.”

Kelley encouraged families to take advantage of the many recreation areas managed by Papio NRD as a simple way to explore nature together.

“I think a lot of the NRD recreation areas provide great opportunities to explore with several different habitats,” she said. “Just get out in nature and you’re bound to have an experience of some sort.”

A woman holding a yellow and black striped snake while speaking, with a serious expression, in a classroom setting.

One of the presentation’s conservation messages focused on tiger salamanders (Sal the tiger salamander is pictured above). Kelley explained that the amphibians have not been found in the wild in the Omaha area for 26 years due to a combination of habitat loss and water pollution.

She said their disappearance serves as a reminder that human actions have lasting impacts on the environment.

“I think just understanding how our actions can affect our environment and wildlife, and eventually down the line, how it can affect us,” Kelley said.

Attendees also learned that many of the lakes found throughout eastern Nebraska are not natural lakes but reservoirs constructed for flood control and other public purposes.

A group of children watching as a woman kneels and holds a snake, demonstrating it to a young girl. Other children are present, showing curiosity and excitement.
Kids lined up to pet Foxy, the Western Fox Snake.

For families interested in attending future wildlife programs, Kelley said many of Papio NRD’s public educational presentations are offered through local libraries.

“We do offer them,” she said. “A lot of the ones that are open to the public are offered at libraries, so just check your local library calendar or events page to find those.”

The wildlife fun continues at the Bennington Public Library this week. Animal Encounters returns on Wednesday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m., giving another group of families the chance to experience animals up close while learning about their habitats and lives.

A person with curly hair and glasses stands in front of a wooden door, wearing a gray t-shirt that reads 'UNEARTH A STORY.' They appear to be speaking or presenting.
A woman in a blue hoodie holding a large turtle shell while speaking to an audience.
A woman in a blue hoodie holding a turtle in one hand while displaying a photo of a man holding a turtle on a poster during a presentation.
An educator speaks to a group of children seated on the floor during a presentation in a classroom, with a table displaying educational materials and an American flag visible in the background.
A woman in a blue hoodie holding a snake in one hand and a picture of a snake in the other, speaking to an audience in an educational setting.
A woman holding a snake in one hand and a poster of a tree trunk with a hidden snake in the other hand, demonstrating animal camouflage.
A woman in a blue shirt is presenting an image of a snake while explaining something, with a display table and educational materials in the background.
A young boy raising his hand in a classroom setting, sitting among other children on the floor.
A presenter holding a snake while giving a demonstration to an audience of children seated on the floor, with a display table and a logo in the background.
A presenter holds an illustration of marine life while speaking to a group of children seated on the floor in a classroom setting.
A woman in a blue shirt gestures while holding a small object, possibly an animal, in a library setting.
A child sitting on a woman's lap, both looking towards a window in a classroom setting.
A teacher engaging with two children while holding a snake, demonstrating it as a part of an educational activity.
A group of children participating in an activity in a room with chairs and a colorful carpet, while adults supervise and interact with them.
A group of children observing an adult holding a snake during an educational session in a classroom setting.
A facilitator in a blue shirt shows an animal to a group of attentive children sitting on the floor, with containers of specimens visible on a table in the background.
A teacher crouches down to show something to a group of fascinated children sitting on the floor, with storage containers visible in the background.
A woman interacts with children, showing them an animal while an adult observes. The children are engaged and curious.
A woman shows a snake to a group of children during an educational presentation.

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