North Platte Hatchery
2026-04-13 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-14 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-15 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-16 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-17 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-20 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-21 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | The North Platte Fish Hatchery, 444 E State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE, 69101, United States
The North Platte Hatchery is open to the public and tours may be scheduled during normal working hours. Hatchery information is on display at the hatch house.
The North Platte Fish Hatchery opened in 1943. The facility utilizes the adjacent Nebraska Public Power District irrigation canal to feed 43 earthen ponds, water that ultimately is returned to the canal after being used for fish production.
The North Platte Hatchery produces a variety of coolwater and warmwater fish species including regular production of walleye, white bass, blue catfish and channel catfish. On demand, the hatchery also produces yellow perch, black and white crappie, wiper, striped bass, bluegill, muskellunge, tiger muskie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, sauger and saugeye. North Platte hatchery staff also makes annual collections of walleye and white bass eggs and milt from regional water bodies.
In addition to the hatchery, this property houses the Aquatic Conservation Facility where our team conducts mussel propagation research, as well as other aquatic work.
To prevent the spread of disease and reduce stress to fish, some areas of the facility may not be open to visitation. Contact the hatchery in advance to schedule a tour.

Wings Over the Platte
2026-04-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-15 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-17 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-18 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-19 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-20 09:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date | Stuhr Museum, 3133 West Highway 34, Grand Island, NE, 68801
Flowing across the heart of the Great Plains, the Platte River has long been a source of life, movement, and inspiration. Wings Over the Platte celebrates the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that define this region through the vision of artists connected to the Platte River Valley.
From sweeping prairie horizons and ever-changing skies to intimate studies of plants, animals, and waterways, this juried exhibition captures the spirit of a place where nature and people have been intertwined for generations. Artwork in painting, photography, sculpture, and more invites visitors to experience the river not just as scenery, but as a living force that shapes Nebraska’s land, history, and community. Many works will also be available for purchase, offering a chance to take home a piece of the river’s story.
Join The Stuhr Museum in honoring the connection between art and nature, and the timeless role the Platte River plays in shaping both.

Hidden Figures
2026-04-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join NE SciFest and NASA Nebraska Space Grant for a free showing of “Hidden Figures.”
The film recounts the true story of the African-American mathematics genius, Katherine Johnson, and her two fellow colleagues, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, who helped NASA win the Space Race. Using their mathematical calculations, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.
Doors open at 6:30pm, movie begins at 7pm.
For free tickets email your name and ticket quantity to nescifest@gmail.com.

Wise & Wild at Mahoney State Park
2026-04-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
Nature enthusiasts ages 18+ are invited to attend the Wise & Wild program on select Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Eugene T. Mahoney’s newly renovated James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
This program is designed for adults who love the outdoors and want to enjoy time in the parks. We will share a variety of nature-related topics with activities indoors and out. Join us on your own or bring along friends of any age. Free program.
April 14 – Bird Mist-Netting: Observe the process of mist-netting, a tool used to catch and band birds for research. Get up close and learn about local bird species.

Owls & Old Fashioneds
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Mercury, 329 S 16th St #3, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Do you love Owls? Do you love Old Fashioneds? Have you ever thought it would be fun to drink old fashioneds and talk about owls? Well, this is the event for you!

Join Fontenelle Forest as they bring some very special feathered guests to talk all things owls. Come see these glorious creatures up close and personal – just please no touching.
While learning and looking at owls, Mercury will provide three old fashioned samples, with one featuring bourbon aged with that oak from the forest. Samplers cost $15.
Tickets are required and available in mid-March.

LEGOS at the Library
2026-04-16 15:45 - 16:45 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join The City of Kearney Public Library for some brick-snapping fun! Come design and build your own creations. The library will provide the LEGOS, you just need to bring your imagination along. No registration is required for this event.

Kennedy STEAM Night
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Howard Kennedy Elementary Schoool, 2906 N 30th St., Omaha, NE, 68111, United States
Kennedy Elementary School is hosting a STEAM Night on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30-7pm featuring Robotics, Urban Gardening, Water Science, NASA Nebraska stations and more!
Come and enjoy awesome opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Food, Fun and Family time for ALL.

Sharp-tailed grouse viewing at Niobrara State Park
2026-04-17 16:00 - 2026-04-19 11:00 | Niobrara State Park, 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE, 68760-6087, United States
Experience the natural wonder of the sharp-tailed grouse mating dance from a grouse viewing blind at Niobrara State Park! This sunrise ritual is an ancient and glorious display from one of Nebraska’s most famous grassland birds.
Reservations
Reserve the viewing blind (free of charge) any time between March 1 and May 1, with peak viewing between March 7 and April 20. The large trailer blind can hold up to 12 guests (up to 10 comfortably). In addition, there are two small pop-up blinds available upon request for those with bigger cameras and camera stands that won’t fit in the trailer blind. Blinds are first come, first serve by reservation only. Book your spots by calling the park office at 402-857-3373.
A 2026 state park vehicle permit is required for park entry.

The Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Fred G. Dale Planetarium, Gulliver Dr., Wayne, NE, 68787, United States
Doors open 20 minutes prior to the start of a show. Planetarium shows generally include a tour of the current night sky, a view of the constellations, and a full-dome video. All shows last about 45 minutes.
April Shows:
Friday, April 3
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
Whether earthly or alien, all life leaves a trace. Journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable, where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos, and what new technologies we might use to find it. Along the way, you’ll learn how light and color can help us spot other living worlds even from vast distances – and develop a new appreciation for the one-of-a-kind planet right beneath our feet. Narrated by Daveed Diggs.
Saturday, April 4
1 p.m. Planetarium show – STARS
Friday, April 10
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Liquidverse
Liquidverse invites you into an audiovisual symphony exploring the micro- and macro-scale of the universe. Contemplate the vastness of our galaxy, the tininess of microorganisms, and the kinship of all life in the universe through vibrant, abstract visuals and the sonic power of an orchestra, enveloping you in sound.
Saturday, April 11
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Edge of Darkness
Edge of Darkness features amazing scenes of places never before seen gathered by key space missions, culminating with groundbreaking discoveries in 2015. It features a spectacular flight though the great cliffs on comet 67P, a close look at the fascinating bright “lights” on Ceres, and the first ever close-ups of dwarf binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons. Narrated by Hayley Atwell.
Friday, April 17 – Earth Day Celebration
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Dynamic Earth
8 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. Narrated by Liam Neeson.
Saturday, April 18 – Earth Day Celebration
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
2 p.m. Planetarium show – Dynamic Earth
Friday, April 24
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Edge of Darkness
Saturday, April 25
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Tales of a Time Traveler
In Tales of a Time Traveler, you will discover that time is not so easily defined. Time is illusive, impossible to hold. It can’t be owned. It can’t be stopped. Time travel surrounds you – from the biological clock in your brain and the changing shadows on a sundial, to the history of life on Earth. Then the story expands to the lives of stars, the time scale of the Big Bang, and the distortion of time by gravity. Narrated by David Tennant.

NE SciFest Public Expo
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00 | The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Join us at the 2026 Free Public Science Expo for fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities for everyone.
The free public expo on April 18 at The Durham Museum will be held from 9am to noon.
Free admission, but tickets required.

Free tickets will be available on eventbrite on March 1.

Science Sunday
2026-04-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Omaha RiverFront, 1001 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join the Nebraska Science Festival for Science Sunday from 1-2pm in April at the Omaha RiverFront by the slides. This is a free family friendly hour for you to learn about nature, astronomy, chemistry, medicine and more with hands-on science activities (while supplies last).
Science Sunday Activities:

April 12 – Pi Bracelet Making

April 19 – Constellation Making

April 26 – Seed balls (please note we will be moving to the Lewis & Clark Landing for the Earth Day celebration on this day)

Spring Wildflower Walk
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Embrace the natural beauty of the Forest at Fontenelle Forest’s Spring Wildflower Walk. Their Naturalist Educator will lead you on a hike to discover some spring wildflowers such as Spring Beauties, Bloodroot, and Dutchman’s Breeches. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time explorer of spring wildflowers, this program offers an opportunity to witness the fleeting beauty of spring.

This program is $10 for members and $25 for non-members (price includes daily admission). Pre-registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount.

Birds of a Feather at Mahoney State Park
2026-04-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s newly renovated James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
This is a program is intended for elementary-aged youth and chaperones. We introduce a different birding topic each session to begin the program. When weather permits, we will head outdoors for a hike or time in the birding area. The program runs approximately 60-90 minutes.
April 7 – Feathers, Forms and Functions: Consider how the form of a bird (beak, feathers, feet) relates to the functions they do to survive and thrive in the wild.
April 21 – Raptors: Discover the differences between hawks, eagles, owls and more as soar in and study their senses, diet and adaptations.
Registration is required.

Genealogy Quest
2026-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
If you love digging into your ancestral past, this is the study hall for you! Use the Kearney Public Library‘s resources to help you in your quest. This class won’t teach you what to do, but volunteers from the Buffalo County Historical Society and library staff will be there to give assistance when needed. So, if you enjoy delving into your ancestry but haven’t been finding time to work on it — come search with us!
This study hall is a partnership between the library and Buffalo County Historical Society, and meets in the Maker Space.

Talon Talk: Birds of Prey
2026-04-21 17:30 - 18:30 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join Nature’s Educators to meet and learn about 4 different birds of prey at the Kearney Public Library! Find out what they eat, where they live, special adaptations, and even have the chance to see one in flight. Be sure to bring your camera and inquiring mind!
Please be mindful that movement and noise agitates the raptors. Attending this program requires the patron to sit still for one hour. Because of this, the presentation is geared for ages 8 and older.
Bookings for this event open on March 1 at 9:00 AM at the Kearney Library (in person or via phone).
