The annual Dismal River service outing will be June 24-26 this year. Participants will camp Friday and Saturday nights in the Whitetail campgrounds in Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest. Because this is a group of volunteers, there are no entry fees, nor are camping fees required. Food will be provided.

We will be cutting invasive cedars encroaching into the proposed Wilderness Area we have adopted. We will also conduct a burrowing owl count within the three or four prairie dog communities. It is a fun bird to observe and learn about within its habitat. Last year some students caught lizards by hand, being careful to not grab them by the tail, and other animals inhabit the forest and plains in the area where we’ll be working. We regularly have a biologist from the Forest Service give an educational presentation on Saturday evening.

This has always been a delightful outing for all, and an eye opener for folks who have never been to the area, which will present a face of Nebraska that most are used to.

All minors without parents need signed authorization and all attendees need to sign a liability waver. Everybody should bring sunburn lotion, a hat, sunglasses and binoculars. If available, chain saws would be appreciated, as will any SUVs or 4x4 trucks for going into the wildlands.

If enough people respond with interest, we will go canoeing on Sunday prior to leaving for home.

Contact James Howe for details at (402) 580-1179 or goejames@alltel.net. Call 551-9480 to coordinate car pooling.

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2005 issue of the Missouri Valley Sierran