GPEC at the Prairie Jazz Festival

Photo credit: Dave Titterington

By Maria Nazos, Ecotourism Project Team, UNL Graduate Student (English), Center for Great Plains Studies

On Saturday, Aug. 27, the Center for Great Plains Studies made a special trek to Pioneers Park to listen to jazz, bask in the last of late summer, and of course, talk with local people about ecotourism and conservation. The Prairie Jazz Festival at Pioneers Park is a fundraising event that has long supported the Nature Center. Some of the talented musicians who performed included Sarah Cosano and Cambia, Jackie Allen Quintet, and Gulizia Brothers and Friends

After spending a terrific evening speaking with other environmentally conscious attendees and fabulous musicians about the Great Plains, it became even more apparent how important it is to share our mission of prairie conservation. We were delighted to give away ecotourism postcards and spread the word about the Great Plains’ wonders.

The festival was nestled snugly in the park, giving way to a scenic sweep of prairie landscape. As the sun set and the green fields began to blush, we were pleasantly reminded why we, at the Center for Great Plains, are committed to working with local landowners and other vested parties in preserving the prairie. This landscape’s natural beauty is an invaluable incentive for us to continue preserving it.

Toward the end of the evening, as the jazz concluded and dragonflies flooded the air, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves while discussing our cause and introducing some of our coalition members to attendees. It was an honor to attend the festival. Look for us at other upcoming local events!