LINCOLN- Public input is being sought on the updating of a state plan to reverse the decline of at-risk wildlife and plant species and preserve key habitats in the state. Six open house-style meetings were scheduled this month to gather comments about the update, which is required as part of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project.

The voluntary, incentive-based project, established in Congress in 2001, provides a "blueprint" to attempt to reverse the decline of at-risk species nationwide. In Nebraska alone, over 700 species are listed as "at-risk," including the burrowing owl, eastern red bat, and monarch butterfly.

A number of Nebraska conservation and farm groups are partners in putting together the plan, which is coordinated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The updated plan is set to be released in 2025. The open houses are scheduled as follows:

Jan. 10 in Beatrice, Beatrice Public Library, 100 N. 16th St., 5:30-7 p.m.

Jan. 17 in North Platte, UNL Extension – West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 in Wood River, Crane Trust, 9325 S. Alda Road, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 in O’Neill, Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District, 301 N. Harrison St, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 in Norfolk, Lower Elkhorn NRD, 1508 Square Turn Blvd, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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