Nebraska Wildflower Week
June 5-11, 2023
Join the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as we celebrate Wildflower Week, June 5-11. We'll join other statewide organizations to shine the spotlight on the beauty and resilience of our state's wildflowers.
The following events are hosted by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and our partners in western Nebraska. Also on this page are a list of additional Wildflower Week events happening in June across the state. Check back here from now until June, as we will be adding more events each week so you can plan your Wildflower Week adventure!
June 8
Plant Talk & Sunset Wildflower Hike
6:30-8:30 p.m. | Chadron State Park*
15951 Gold Rush Byway, Chadron
Come for both of the following activities or join us for just one!
- Wildflower Plant Talk
6:30-7:15 p.m. | Central Group Complex meeting room
With Horticulture Specialist Lucinda Mays and NSA Horticulture Program Coordinator Bob Henrickson.
- Sunset Wildflower Hike
7:30-8:30 p.m. | Meet at Central Group Complex; caravan to Pinecone Shelter.
We'll caravan from Central Group Complex to Pine Cone Shelter and then enjoy a guided hike led by Shelley Steffl and Amanda Filipi from Nebraska Game & Parks. Wear sturdy shoes; water and snacks provided.
*Park permit (available at the kiosk or office at the main entrance; or buy in advance at gooutdoorsne.com) is required.
June 9
Planting at Community Ever Green House
9-11:30 a.m. | 1210 Overland Trails Road, Gering
Volunteers needed to help us plant this community greenspace at the beautiful Ever Green House.
Members & Friends Gathering at Papa Moon Vineyards & Winery
6-9 p.m. | 230975 County Road J, Scottsbluff
Enjoy a glass of wine or cider and some tasty snacks with NSA staff. Stay for the "Fermented Friday" music and food trucks!
RSVP HERE.
June 10
NSA Plant Sale at Ever Green House
9-11 a.m. | 1210 Overland Trails Road, Gering
We'll bring the plants to you! Grab a flat and browse our beautiful selection of native plants for sun and shade.
Additional Statewide Events
Wednesdays in June
Ashland: Wildflower week is June 5-11, but Mahoney State Park will be celebrating all month long with Wildflower Wednesdays, every Wednesday in June from 1-2:30pm. Meet in front of the Activity Center and look for the orange Nature Program flag. Each week park naturalists will lead wildflower-themed activities and guided hikes to find flowers in the park. A park entry permit is required to enter the park and there is no fee for the program. For more information, contact Kelly Ekue 402-332-5022, kelly.ekue@nebraska.gov or visit the Nebraska Game & Parks Outdoor Calendar.
Saturday, June 3 &10
Bellevue: Visit the Green Bellevue table at the Bellevue Farmer’s Market, Washington Park, on June 3 and June 10 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and receive a free milkweed plant that monarch butterflies love. Visit the Bellevue Farmer’s Market website or the Green Bellevue website for more information.
Friday, June 9
Near Gering: Celebrate Nebraska Wildflower Week with a Wildflower Walk with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning at 7 p.m. at Wildcat Hills. Uncover many of the area flowers in bloom and discover key characteristics for identifying them. Please bring water and hiking shoes for this1-mile hike on uneven terrain. The walk is free, but a valid 2023 Nebraska Park Entry permit is required. For more information call 308-436-3777 or visit the website.
Lincoln: “Wildflower Walkabout” 10:00–11:30 AM at Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 S. Coddington Ave. (then follow signs about 1.5 miles west) Register for $5/person by June 7. For more information email naturecenter@lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-441-7895.
Saturday, June 10
Near Unadilla: Wachiska Audubon Society will hold a free tour and seed gathering activity at Dieken Tallgrass Prairie southwest of Unadilla, 9:00 AM to noon. For more information visit the website or call 402-486-4846.
Ponca: Ponca State Park will hold a free Twilight Prairie Walk. Additional information, including the start time and place, will be available on Ponca State Park's Facebook page as we get closer to the date. Or call/ email Katie Leware at Katie.leware@nebraska.gov, 402-755-2284. Information about Ponca State Park can be found on the park's website.
Kimball:, There will be a guided wildflower hike on the native prairie of the EJE Ranch south of Kimball. The tour will begin with a 10 a.m. meet-up at the High Point Welcome Center (204 South Kimball Boulevard) just south of I-80 Exit 20 at the I-80/Highway 71 junction. At 10:30 a.m. the tour will caravan approximately 2-4 miles on paved and county roads to the hike site. Attendees should wear sturdy shoes and consider using sunscreen and/or insect repellent. Native prairie is uneven ground and the hike includes a few challenging slopes. For more information email the Welcome Center at visit@kimballcountyne.us, call 308-241-0573, or email Shaun Evertson at shonny61@gmail.com.
