Education and Exploration
"When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold
UNO's preserves are places to experience remnants of eastern Nebraska's historic prairie, savanna, and woodland habitats.
To this end, and to the extent that such use does not adversely affect these resources, we encourage use of our preserves for teaching and other educational activities as well as for simply visiting to enjoy the natural environment. In addition to Tallgrass Prairie which dominates Glacier Creek Preserve, our preserves provide habitats including riparian wooded corridors (Glacier Creek Preserve), hilltop Loess Hill Mixed-Grass prairie and savanna (T.L. Davis Preserve), and lower slope Eastern Deciduous forests (T.L. Davis Preserve).
Generally, late summer and fall (August - early November) are the best seasons to schedule visits to the preserves although visits can be coordinated for any time of the year. The Barn at Glacier Creek is also available to support use of research and education at the Preserve although its use must be coordinated through the Preserve. No fees are associated with use of Preserve resources, although a fee schedule, available on request and located on the Research Guidelines & Permissions page has been established for research grants.
Please note the Visitor Use Policies that govern use of the Preserve.
Post-Secondary Students & Faculty
Our preserves provide a diversity of educational opportunities and resources for post-secondary faculty and students interested in activities ranging from class use to graduate and faculty research. We encourage educational departments across UNO, Creighton University, College of Saint Mary, Metropolitan Community College, and other regional campuses to consider taking advantage of the resources provided for teaching and teaching-related activities.
In addition to biological sciences, we encourage use of the preserves by any discipline that may benefit from a connection to the outdoor environment offered by the preserves, including those in areas such as art, music, education, information technology, and the humanities. Volunteer opportunities are also coordinated throughout the year by the Preserve staff as part of hands-on educational experience available to any interested individual.
Contact the Preserve to make arrangements to bring your class or hold a special event at one of our preserves. Utilize the Request for Use for Glacier Creek Preserve, as well as review the Barn Clean-up and Field Lab Clean-up requirements.
Pre-K-12 Education
Pre-K through high school educators, including home schools, are encouraged to take advantage of our preserves as outdoor classrooms. While we are not staffed to provide specific programs, the Preserve Operations Administrator will work with you to get the most out of your visit to our preserves. Use of the preserve resources and staff time must be coordinated through the Preserve although primary and secondary education activities ultimately work directly with the Preserve Operations Administrator.
Glacier Creek Preserve is an extension of the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus serving the University’s research and education focus. Use of both the field and indoor facilities by formal (e.g. structured classes) and informal (e.g. homeschools) groups expects resources to be used with the focus of the Preserve in mind, which requires accepting the specific conditions that are based on past experience - view the Conditions for Youth Groups and Accompanying Adults visiting Glacier Creek Preserve.
To schedule a visit, contact the Preserve (unoglaciercreek@unomaha.edu), who will be happy to answer questions or help coordinate your visit. A Request for Use Form form for Glacier Creek Preserve is available, as well as Barn Clean-up and Field Lab Clean-up requirements.