As we complete another full revolution around the sun, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished—both individually and together. Wachiska and its dedicated members have spent this year educating school groups, fostering meaningful connections within communities, and acting as stewards of some of Nebraska’s last postage-stamp prairies, protecting and caring for them for wildlife and future generations.

 

To honor the incredible work Wachiska’s loyal members have done in 2024, we’ve assembled a 20-minute slideshow of prairies, events, seed harvests, our very own timelapse, and so much more. Wachiska’s prairies are a place of solace for me, as I know they are for many others. Each visit brings a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation—from the bobolinks calling across a dew-laden prairie in spring, to the towering spires of liatris in summer, and to the quiet stillness of a fall morning.

 

The program features photos from Wachiska members, including Ethan Freese, Ross Scott, Mark Brohman, and myself.

 

Dakota Altman has served two years on the Wachiska Board and was just re-elected to another term. He earned a BS degree in fisheries and wildlife and a Master of Applied Science in the field of conservation storytelling. He currently works for the Platte Basin Timelapse project to elevate the stories of people around our watershed and the beauty and importance of prairies and wetland ecosystems. Dakota has been active with the conservation committee. Recently a timelapse camera was installed on our Knott Prairie. Some of these photos will be included in this pictorial presentation along with images of chapter highlights over the first 50 years of Wachiska’s history.

 

Timelapse photography is a visual story of how a place changes over time. Our team explores the Platte Basin and other watersheds to share stories of people, wildlife, and landscapes. Platte Basin Timelapse has been in motion since 2011, and is a project with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

 

Still photos, videos, and music combine to make these presentations something to remember for a long time.

 

 Join us all on Thursday, December 12, at 5:30 p.m. for a potluck dinner at our usual meeting site, Lincoln’s Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street. Bring a favorite dish or two to share along with your own table service, including silverware and serving utensils for your shared dish. A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening, so bring your checkbook and pick up some gifts and relics. Then at 7:00 p.m. sharp the slide presentation will begin and will be live-streamed on YouTube at

 

https://youtube.com/live/3EOLjlxrjHA?feature=share

 

No registration is needed. This presentation can also be viewed at a later time. Check Wachiska’s website for links to past programs.