Partners
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of these Nebraska experts, and for their enthusiasm for this project. Their willingness to share their educational materials was invaluable to the launch of Walk to Unlock Nebraska.
Our partners have additional resources that can be used as a supplement along your trail. And we have collected resources to aid in the implementation of your Walk 2 Unlock journey, use the buttons below to jump to these resources lower on this page.
Use the links on the right to scroll to more information on our partners.
Nebraska Department of Education
It is the Nebraska Department of Education’s mission to lead and support the preparation of all Nebraskans for learning, earning and living. NDE focuses on student-centered outcomes, high quality opportunities and a strong system of support for every student, every day.
Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation delivers agricultural literacy programming to engage youth, educators and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans.
Nebraska Game & Parks
The mission of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is stewardship of the state’s fish, wildlife, park, and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources. The staff manages 78 parklands and trails throughout the state, along with focusing efforts on conservation and connecting people to the natural world.
Nebraska Tourism
The Nebraska Tourism Commission expands Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry by creating awareness and attracting increased visitors, which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state.
Midwest Dairy
Midwest Dairy represents more than 4,400 dairy farms across its region to build dairy demand and inspire consumer confidence in products and production practices. They focus their efforts on developing programs for retail, health and wellness and school food service and industry partners.
Nebraska State Historical Society
History Nebraska collects, preserves, and opens to all, the histories we share. It was founded in 1878 to encourage historical research and to spread historical information. Today it continues that legacy through conservation, interpretation, education and preservation.
Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts
Nebraska NRDs work in a coordinated effort to conserve, sustain, and improve our natural resources and environment through projects & programs ranging in 12 areas of responsibility. The 23 districts often team with other agencies to carry out projects.
Nebraska’s system of local natural resources management is unique in the United States. Unlike the county-wide districts found in most states, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts are based on river basin boundaries, enabling them to approach natural resources management on a watershed basis.
Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska Public Media tells the state’s stories, first-hand, through the voices of the people who live here. With local content, plus trusted programming from PBS and NPR, we’re your source for meaningful content covering news, sports, education and culture.
Partner Resources:
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Program Resources:
Mental Health Outdoor Challenge
Week 1 Resources
| NATURE RESOURCES: Elementary: Outdoor Classroom Book Bags The simple act of reading outside can have profound impacts. While meeting learning objectives and state educational standards, you are also providing students an opportunity to render the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outside. The link provides a list of nature books for grades K-5. All: Birdwatching Has Big Mental-Health Benefits Article This 10 minute article explains the health benefits of birdwatching as well as provides 5 ways to start birdwatching. Adults: Nature & Mental Health Webinar (1 hr) provided by conservation Nebraska. Watch and or listen to all or portion of the webinar:
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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
Elementary: Spotting Students at Risk of Suicide (47 minutes) – Signs and Early Intervention Strategies for Grades PK 6 Webinar
Pinwheel Breathing: Make a pinwheel and learn how different types of breathing makes our bodies feel.
Middle & High School: Mindfulness: Youth Voices (2:58 minutes) This video features youth and young adults discussing their experiences practicing mindfulness, and how mindfulness has benefited different aspects of their lives. The video also features youth practicing mindfulness, and includes insights from a health professional and mindfulness teacher.
Use this link to find mindfulness apps or guides: https://www.mindfulnessforteens.com/about/more-resources
Tuesday September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day! Nebraska School Suicide Prevention Resource Guide: Resources for prevention, intervention, postvention.
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RESOURCES: Elementary: Body Part Balance Test your balance! Can you balance a beanbag on the listed body parts? Middle & High School: Brain Breaks in the Classroom – brain breaks created by SDSU Extension were designed for 6th-12th graders. Print front to back on cardstock and reuse!
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Week 2 Resources
Nature Resources:
Elementary: Wetlandology: A kid’s book about wetlands – Wetlands in Nebraska are filled with amazing plants and animals! Learn about the Nebraska’s different wetland types, which creatures live in them, and how you can explore wetlands in this free kid-friendly, activity-filled publication designed for educators. View online or request a copy(s)!
High School: NASA: Wetlands Curriculum – This curriculum unit of study has five lessons with hands on activities and worksheets:
- Why are wetlands essential in their ecosystem and economic services?
- Observing the saltmarsh at Alley Pond Park
- Human impact on the wetlands: A literature review
- Why reserve wetlands?
- Coring at Alley Pond Saltmarsh
All: Wetland of Nebraska Video (Duration: 4:11 minutes) Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Platte Basin Timelapse have developed some amazing new wetlands educational resources as part of a Wetlands of Nebraska project. This video, produced by Platte Basin Timelapse, provides a preview of the five part documentary series, emphasizing the critical role that wetlands play in our lives and the importance of protecting them through understanding and appreciation.
All: Nature-Themed Yoga – This 4 week series of nature-themed yoga videos are great for beginners as well as anyone looking to move. You will learn about poses, movement, and how to breathe. Five 6-10 minute videos is provided for each week. Take your yoga outside & log your miles!
Thank you to our partner Nebraska Game & Parks for providing these nature resources!
Mental Health Resources:
Elementary: Affirmation Song (2 minutes) – In this sing along video, sing, dance and rap all about statements any kid can embody and say to themselves to make themselves feel better! Video is sung in English but both English & Spanish lyrics are shown on screen.
Middle & High School: “Real Questions from Real Teens!” How to accept a compliment? use the link to learn how!
For more resources from academic success, body image, family relationships & great habits look to: https://schoolpulse.org/resources/
All: Kindness BINGO – We can all benefit from more kindness in the world! Join this Kindness Bingo Challenge by completing a square from each category.
Educators: How Right Now (HRN) is a mental health campaign for educators. HRN offers a wealth of tailored resources and tools to increase awareness of emotional health issues, enhance coping skills, and improve adaptability and resilience.
Physical Activity Resources:
Elementary: This or That Fitness Brain Break (5:33 minutes) The first day of Fall is Sunday! Exercise your mind and body with this Fall themed “This or That” style brain break! In this fun and engaging movement video, we make our favorite fall choices with some exercise!! Perfect for a PE warmup, classroom brain break and at home workout!
Adults: Prepare for Walk & Roll to School Day – October 9th
* Use this guide to help you plan an event in 7 days
* Download customizable materials including a flyer for your event
* As an incentive for children to walk or ride to school beyond Oct 9th, offer punch cards
All: Try to see how many towers you can build before you need to rest or for a certain period of time! See directions.
Week 3 Resources
Nature Resources
Elementary: Ready for some reptilian fun? Here are 20 reptile crafts for kids, from snakes to crocodiles and geckos to turtles – reptiles are some of the most interesting creatures on earth!
Middle & High School: Have you seen a snake, frog, toad, lizard, turtle or salamander lately in Nebraska? Use this site to identify and learn about Nebraska-native species.
All: Reptile Art Contest – National Retile Awareness Day is October 21st. To celebrate Nebraska Game and Parks hosts an annual art contest. During October, the public is invited to participate by uploading their Nebraska reptile artwork to the online form. Winners from each grade level along with adult finalist, will be selected.
Thank you to our partner Nebraska Game & Parks for providing these nature resources!
Mental Health Resources
Elementary: At School Kindness Starts with You Book – Kindness is the single most powerful thing that we can teach our children. Follow Maddy through her day at school, where your child will learn how easy it can be to spread kindness! Read Aloud Video duration: 4:07 minutes
Middle & High School: Map & Monitor How Stress Shows Up – Although people experience stress differently, individuals tend to have a predictable response to stress over time. Includes a stress mapping worksheet and tips to manage stress.
All: SEL Playbook – Practical ways to introduce and broaden the use of SEL practices in classrooms, schools and workplaces. Plug & Play Activities with detailed guidance.
Physical Activity Resources
Adults: 15 Minute Low Impact Workout – Get ready to move to the music with Amy in this quick cardio workout! Movements are kept low impact and the intervals for this workout build from 15 seconds to one minute and then descend back to 15 seconds. This workout is perfect for the beginner and intermediate exerciser. No equipment needed.
All: Try to see how many towers you can build before you need to rest or for a certain period of time! See directions.
