NaturePalooza brings eco-friendly ideas to kids

Kids touch and hold insects from the Entomology department's booth at Naturepalooza 2013. (Lindsay Augustyn/UNL CSMCE)
Kids touch and hold insects from the Entomology department's booth at Naturepalooza 2013. (Lindsay Augustyn/UNL CSMCE)

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted "NaturePalooza Nebraska" on Sept. 24 at Hardin Hall on UNL's East Campus, where kids could explore a snake pit, hold giant insects and also learn about being eco-friendly.

NaturePalooza offered fun tips to live in a more sustainable way, focusing wildlife habitat, air and climate, soil, water and recycling waste. Participants could buy native plants and get a rain barrel and bird feeder for their yard.

Wildlife Encounters and Raptor Recovery showed live animals. The String Beans performed live music, encouraging kids of all ages to sing and dance. Live shows were supported by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences.

Scientists from various groups within the School of Natural Resources provided interactive stations explaining the science behind Nebraska's water, weather and wildlife.

- Mekita Rivas, UNL School of Natural Resources