Special Events at Glacier Creek Preserve
Events at Glacier Creek Preserve are open to the public and all ages are welcome. There are no associated fees to attend, but an RSVP may be required for some events. All events are located at Glacier Creek Preserve, 14810 State St. Bennington, NE 68007 unless otherwise noted.
We look forward to seeing you at the Preserve!
Get information about Volunteer Workdays
Upcoming Events
Monarch Tagging Events at Glacier Creek Preserve
Dates/Times:
Sunday, September 13, 2026 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Monday, September 21, 2026 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Location: Glacier Creek Preserve
14810 State St. Bennington, NE 68007
Learn. Tag. Discover.
Join Dr. Ted Burk, expert entomologist from Creighton University, and Tracy Coleman, Glacier Creek Preserve's event host, for a hands-on monarch tagging experience. Ted has studied the butterfly population at Glacier Creek Preserve for over 20 years recording 57 species during that time. Ted and Tracy will demonstrate how to use a net to capture butterflies and how to safely handle and properly tag Monarch butterflies using official Monarch Watch tags. We have plenty of tags to use between the two days, so we encourage your assistance in capturing and tagging during these events!
🦋 All ages welcome – whether you're a curious beginner or a butterfly enthusiast!
🦋 We'll provide butterfly nets, but feel free to bring your own.
🦋 Meet at The Barn at Glacier Creek Preserve to begin.
🦋 Come learn more about Monarchs, their incredible migration, and how you can contribute to real-world citizen science.
Reminders:
- Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for walking through the prairie.
- Water bottle refill stations and restrooms are available in The Barn.
- Pets are not allowed at the Preserve.
- In case of rain or severe weather, the event will be postponed or canceled.
- RSVPs are appreciated but not required: unoglaciercreek@unomaha.edu
- Please email or call 402-554-6300 with any questions or to check for cancellations.
- This is a come-and-go event -- arriving late or leaving early is absolutely fine.
We look forward to seeing you at the Preserve!
Join us for Seed Collection at Glacier Creek Preserve
Why do we collect seed? We host seed collection workdays annually in the fall to collect prairie seed for large restoration areas such as the Papio Mitigation Wetland habitat and small restoration areas like the Creative Place Artwalk and Pollinator Habitat close to the Barn. The seed collected in the fall will be scattered within the restoration areas at a later time depending on restoration progression.
Why should you join us? Many volunteers say this is their favorite activity at the Preserve - it's a great way to get outside with other nature lovers and immerse yourself in the beauty of the prairie.
Location: Meet inside The Barn at Glacier Creek Preserve,
14810 State St., Bennington, NE 68007
Seed Collection Dates/Times:
September 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
September 30, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
October 6, 2026 | 10:00 AM -12:30 PM
October 9, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Additional Information:
- We recommend wearing long pants
- Closed toe shoes are required
- Bring a refillable water bottle if you have one
- Restrooms and water refill stations on site in The Barn
- Snacks will be provided, but feel free to bring your own
- Work supplies will be provided
Interested in volunteering?
An RSVP to unoglaciercreek@unomaha.edu or 402-554-6300 is appreciated but not required. If you have questions, please reach out to us!
The Bouteloua LitART Fest
A CELEBRATION OF PROSE, POETRY, and ART
Location: Glacier Creek Preserve,
14810 State St., Bennington, NE 68007
Date: October 4, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Schedule:
2:00 PM: Opening
2:15 PM: Authors’ Panel: “Writing about Illness & Health” sponsored by The Linden Review
Author’s Panel includes local authors: Caitlin Cass, Terri Dreismeier, Tammie Kennedy, and Todd Robinson.
4:00 PM: Ellen Forney, Author Talk & Audience Conversation
Best-selling author of MARBLES: MANIA, DEPRESSION MICHELANGELO, & ME)
Ceramics project: All ages, 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM, with UNO Art Professor, Amelia Rosenberg
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UNO’s Creative Nonfiction Writing Program/English Dept., UNO Department
of Art & Art History, Thompson Learning Community, UNO Medical Humanities Program, Glacier Creek Preserve, Barbi Hayes, and The Linden Review
*Author books will be available for signing, and snacks are provided
This event is free and open to the public, no RSVP required.
Past Events
The Bouteloua LitART Fest
The LitART Fest is a celebration of authors and artists held at UNO’s Glacier Creek Prairie Preserve that includes book readings and signings, writers’ discussion panel, local artists exhibition, and prairie walks. This event was a collaboration of the UNO Creative Nonfiction Writing Program, Moonrise Gallery, and Glacier Creek Preserve.
Past event dates: 11 September 2022, 1 October 2023, 22 September 2024 and 28 September 2025.
Guided Hikes at Glacier Creek Preserve
Guided hikes provide the opportunity to walk, talk and learn about the prairie with other interested individuals. Come enjoy the beautiful landscape and the breathtaking sunsets.
Night Life at Glacier Creek Preserve
The Night Life events provide an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of animal activities that go on after dark. Light traps and other collection methods are used to observe insects. The songs of crickets, katydids, and cicadas increase as the evening progresses. Check out the moth species list that has developed from this event.
Overhead, we observe bat activity while looking and listening for other sights and sounds of the night-time preserve. Local scientist provide tools and knowledge to guide attendees through the evening.
Past event dates include: 2 August 2018, 21 July 2019, 17 August 2019, 17 July 2021, 18 June 2022, 19 August 2022, 23 June 2023, 18 August 2023, 14 June 2024, and 20 August 2025.
Research Conversations at Glacier Creek Preserve
Research Conversations is an opportunity for those conducting research at the Preserve to share either the results of their efforts to date or plans for future research at the Preserve. The event is also intended to provide a venue to encourage discussions among those attending for possible future projects. For others, the event is an opportunity to learn about the kinds of research being conducted at the Preserve. Research Conversations at Glacier Creek Preserve is an annual meeting and an opportunity for Preserve users to share their present work, initiate ideas about future research and projects, and for others to hear about ongoing research at the Preserve. This event is scheduled annually during February or March.
Research Conversations is open to faculty, students and interested individuals.
Spring Strings at Glacier Creek Preserve
Spring Strings at Glacier Creek Preserve Featuring The Rangbrook Ensemble, a mix of cello, viola, and violin. Spring Strings is an event that connects the melodies of great composers with the beauty of the spring prairie. The next Spring Strings will be held Saturday, June 19, 2027 so check back for more details.
Past event dates include: 2 June 2018, 7 June 2019, 11 June 2022, 17 June 2023, 8 June 2024, 7 June 2025 and 6 June 2026.
About the Rangbrook Ensemble:
Founded in 2011, the Rangbrook Ensemble is a string trio and string sextet made up of Omaha and Lincoln-based professional musicians. Members of the ensemble are active in the Omaha and Lincoln Symphonies and various music education programs throughout the Southeast Nebraska area.
The Rangbrook Ensemble’s members come from a variety of educational backgrounds including studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Boston University, and the Oberlin Conservatory. The Ensemble has performed their self-presented series in a wide variety of locations throughout Lincoln and Omaha, as well as performing on local concert series, including Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music and Vesper Concerts.
Meet the Rangbrook Ensemble