Nature Trails

Bellevue

Nature and History Trail: Runs for more than two miles through beautiful woods and along the edge of the Missouri River.

Keystone/Bellevue Loop Trail:

Brownville

Whiskey Run Creek Nature Trail: Goes through the Furnas Arboretum, running alongside Whiskey Run Creek and links to the Steamboat Trace Trail.

Fairbury

Little Blue River Trail: Walking, biking and cross-country skiing trail, crossing the restored Rock Island Railroad Bridge. The 1.5 mile trail begins south of Third and C streets at the Fairbury Dam. 402-729-2148.

Nebraska City to Brownville

The Steamboat Trace Trail has been designated by the National Park Service as part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. It features 21 miles of abandoned railroad corridor paralleling the Missouri River from approximately 6 miles south of Nebraska City to just south of Brownville. In 1995, the title was provided to the Nemaha NRD by the National Rails to Trails Conservancy. Trail corridor is open to hiking and bicycling year round, except during firearm deer hunting seasons in mid-November and early January, when the trail is closed to all uses. Trail surface is crushed limestone screenings. Accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Papillion

Halleck Nature Trail: Runs through the heart of Papillion and parallel to Papio Creek.

Springfield

Mopac Trail: Runs from Schramm Road to Springfield and south to the Platte River, then continues west to Lincoln.

144th Street Trail: Paved trail that follows the grade of the streets, stretching up and down hills to connect Standing Bear Lake in Omaha to Springfield, including the Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Sarpy County.

Nature Centers and Arboretums

Bellevue

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center: 1,400 acres of woods, wetlands and waterways, descending from steep bluffs to the valley floor and to the Missouri River's edge along 19 miles of well-marked trails. A one-mile boardwalk is handicapped accessible.

Brownville

Furnas Arboretum:

Schoolhouse Art Gallery & Nature Center: Located in the heart of the Furnas Arboretum grounds and features artwork by regional artists and nature/educational programs. Open on weekends and by appointment, call 402-825-6637.

Falls City

Itha-Krumme Memorial Arboretum: Located at West 25th Street and Clinton, next to Stanton Lake, it is the only site within the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum system showcasing plants native to Nebraska and

surrounding states. Hard-surface walking paths. 402-245-2850.

Hebron

Arrowhead Gardens Arboretum: Located on Jefferson Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets.

Nebraska City

River Country Nature Center: Located at 114 S. 6th St., houses more than 400 preserved specimens of native Nebraska birds, mammals, fish and other animals in their natural habitats. Open Arbor Day through mid-October, afternoons Thursday through Sunday. 402-873-3411.

Peru

Peru State College and the Campus of A Thousand Oaks Arboretum: One of the affiliated sites that constitute the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, the collection is an educational and instructional resource in botany and horticulture. 402-872-3815.

Syracuse

Lion's Club Arboretum:

Birdwatching

Bellevue

Fontenelle Nature Association: This 1,300 acre forest is a privately funded nonprofit organization and includes 17 miles of trails and a mile-long boardwalk. There is a marsch with an overlooking observation blind. A small combined nature center and museum is open from 8-5 daily, while trails are open dawn to dusk. A bird checklist of 246 species is available. Organized bird and nature hikes, as well as other programs, are available. Admission fee. Located in Bellevue off of Hwy 75. Turn left onto Chandler Road, at Bellevue Blvd. turn right and follow until you reach the nature center. 402-731-3140.

Fairbury

Crystal Springs Park: Located one mile southwest of town, Crystal Springs is a host to a variety of birds all year round, from geese in the spring and fall, to cormarants in the early summer and egrets and blue herons and song birds during the summer. Bald eagles can also be seen here over the winter.

Louisville

Schramm Park State Recreation Area: Schramm Park's 330 acres sits along the Platte River. This area also has 3 miles of trails and offers great views. The Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium can be found here, as well as the state's first fish hatchery. State park permit required. Located 6 miles south of I-80 exit 432. 402-234-6855.

Peru

Peru Bottoms Wildlife Management Area: Wildlife restoration project with more than 2,000 acres of land owned by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, offers birding, hunting and fishing. Habitat for bald eagles and snow geese migration as well as other wildlife. Located two miles north of the Peru boat ramp and offers public access to the Missouri River.

Shickley

Mallard Haven Waterfowl Production Area: Covers 1,087 acres, including 633 acres of wetlands. It's one of the largest and best marshes for waterfowl in the spring. Birdwatchers come in late February and early March for spring migration, in summer to see breeding birds. The site, located two miles north of town, has several parking areas around the perimeter and an information kiosk at the southeast parking lot.