Preserve Events

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.

We look forward to seeing you at the Preserve!

Upcoming Events:

Pie Day at the Preserve

We are excited to host the Volunteer & Community Appreciation Gathering and Pi (π) Day at the Preserve on Saturday, March 14.

This special afternoon is our way of thanking our volunteers, visitors, and supporters while also welcoming new community members who would like to learn more about the preserve.

We’ll be celebrating with plenty of pie and time to connect. We’ll also look back at the past year and share what’s ahead for 2026, including upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and a few updates from around the preserve.

Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Location: Glacier Creek Preserve
14810 State Street
Bennington, NE 68007

This event is open to the public, and all are welcome.

RSVPs to unoglaciercreek@unomaha.edu are appreciated (though not required) so we can be sure there’s enough pie for everyone.

We hope you’ll join us for pie, conversation, and connection on Pi Day.

Research Conversations at Glacier Creek Preserve

Join us for the next Research Conversations on March 28, 2026. More details coming soon!

Spring Strings at Glacier Creek Preserve

Save-the-date for Spring Strings on June 6, 2026. Check back for more information!

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: Sept. 11 2022, Oct. 1 2023, Sept. 22 2024 and Sept. 28 2025.

A promotion for the Bouteloua LitART Fest showing the different speakers and schedule of events.

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.

A researcher leads a guided hike across the prairie.

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.

Event attendees gather around a researcher to observe and learn more about the bat species at the prairie.

Attendees observe insects landing on a white drop cloth.

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 6, 2026 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, and June 7, 2025.

A musician speaks to an audience at an event in the Loft of the Barn at Glacier Creek Preseve.

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.

The Rangbrook Ensemble musicians stand with their instruments.

Links to individual bios:
(Bill Wolcott) https://www.rangbrookensemble.org/violins.html
(Jesse Griggs) https://www.rangbrookensemble.org/violas.html
(Sophia Potter) https://www.rangbrookensemble.org/cellos.html