UNO Receives Federal Grant to Maintain Local Nature Preserve, Enhance Research and Education

Investments in Nebraska’s natural prairie are helping expand environmental and historical education for generations to come.

➡️ What’s New: A $1.1 million federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) has been awarded to the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Glacier Creek Preserve.

⏱️ Catch up quick: The Glacier Creek Preserve is a restored and ecologically sustainable wildlife and tallgrass prairie ecosystem managed by the College of Arts and Science that serves as a site for environmental research and education along with recreational enjoyment.

💡 Why it matters: The NSF grant will enhance and expand field research and STEM education, vital to understanding Great Plains ecosystems, biodiversity, and other environmental processes. It will also allow for improved year-round maintenance facilities for the historic grassland. More than 3,000 users benefit annually from research, education and outreach at the Glacier Creek Preserve.

🔎 Zoom in: The $1.1M grant will do two main things:

• Replace the deteriorating Research Support Facility (RSF); the maintenance and repair building which houses all research equipment and land-management equipment for the 525 acres of tallgrass prairie, wetlands, creeks, and woodland habitats.
• Fund a research weir; a small in-stream structure that allows for collecting data on waterflow and condition.

🎤 What they’re saying:

• Thomas Bragg, Ph.D., UNO biology professor and preserve director: “The Preserve’s natural habitats are what attract so many visitors and endless research opportunities from those locally, regionally, and nationally. This funding will allow us to better maintain the land’s vital ecological resources, improve and expand education for learners of all levels, and continue to provide the community with an invaluable outdoor experience just minutes from their homes.”
• Jill Blankenship, Ph.D., Department of Biology chair and associate professor: “Glacier Creek Preserve is a vital resource for our University and the Omaha Community. In addition to preserving the natural beauty of restored landscapes, it is a hub for research, allowing us to study the intersection of urban and rural environments. This funding will support the continued expansion of both our educational mission and our scientific endeavors.”

📌 Award Information:

• Funding amount: $1,167,245
• Funder: National Science Foundation
• Award Number: NSF 2500041

⚡️ What’s next: You can learn more about the Glacier Creek Preserve by visiting the UNO Glacier Creek Preserve website, explore volunteer opportunities, or view public access hours to experience its beauty firsthand.