![]() We chose to stay at the Double Nickel Campground in Waco. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari.Thursday we made the drive from Kansas into Nebraska. Luckily, the park is always looking for nature-loving volunteers to help with special events and wildlife education!Īll photos are courtesy of the Lee G. Once you’ve fallen in love with the animals (and the mission), you might be looking for ways to get involved. While it might not be as large as the nearby Henry Doorly Zoo, the hard work of Gary Pettit and his dedicated team definitely shines through. There are no words that can cover the magic of the Lee G. “It’s ambitious and wonderful, and we are all so excited!” “We’ve actually spent the past few years working on our master plan,” he said. In its 20th year, Gary and the rest of the team at the wildlife safari park hope to expand the educational programs. There are also a number of unique events throughout the year, including stargazing opportunities, classes on how to identify animals by their sounds and tracks, and family hikes. At these stops, there could be a professional giving an educational talk or demonstration, or there could be an opportunity to interact with the animals themselves. There are a few places at which you will be prompted to stop. It’s truly a chance to connect with our state’s wilder roots.īut the park goes further than just a driving tour. “People have the chance to see what Nebraska would have looked like a hundred years ago when the pioneers were riding their covered wagons across the plains,” said Gary. What’s unique about the property is that there are so many different types of habitats in a small area, from open pastures to wooded areas and old quarries to wetlands. From the road, you’ll be able to witness herds of elk, blonde bison, black bears, grey wolves, pronghorns, sandhill cranes and more! On a normal day, visitors can pile into their own vehicles, roll down the windows, and take a leisurely driving “safari” through the facility. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari draws more than 150,000 visitors from all over the country every year, and is typically open to the public from March 31 to October 31. And he says that the park is really picking up steam in its 20th year. In the more than 30 years that he has worked with the zoo, he has never had two days exactly the same. “Though I’m starting to be more involved in visitor services and the growth aspects of the park, it always comes back to the animals.” Gary loves his job for a number of reasons, but especially for the excitement. “As you can imagine, as the park has developed over the years, so has my job,” he said. Gary has always had a passion for animals of all shapes and sizes, and has enjoyed seeing the progress of the wildlife park over the years. ![]() Half of the property’s 440 acres comprises the North American drive through, and the other half houses the breeding, research and conservation facilities for the exotic species housed at the Henry Doorly Zoo. But as we started developing the idea and trying to come up with a plan for the park, we realized that it would make a nice drive-through facility, and an opportunity to showcase native and North American animals.” ![]() “It was just going to be a research and conservation support facility for the Omaha Zoo. “We actually didn’t initially intend to open the park up to the public,” said Gary. Gary Pettit, who has been involved with the Henry Doorly Zoo for more than 30 years, was one of the first staff members to become involved in the conservation park. The park opened to the public in June of 1998, but it was in the works several years beforehand. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari is actually owned by Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The park is unlike normal zoos in the respect that it offers the fabulous opportunity to take a drive-through tour or witness animal demonstrations - and it is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! To honor the occasion, we spoke to Gary Pettit, the park’s superintendent, to get the full scoop. ![]() Located just 30 minutes from the heart of Omaha, the park features more than 350 animals and 53 species from all over the world, including a large selection of species native to North America. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari. ![]() When looking to connect with Nebraska’s wild side, there’s no better place to go than the Lee G. Even in the developed areas, it seems as if there is always something left to discover! In fact, we are known for our vast prairies, spectacular sunsets and varied wildlife. There’s more to Nebraska than high-quality steaks and Cornhusker football. ![]()
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