Game and Parks meeting

Rex Fisher of Omaha, right, commissioner at-large for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission board of commissioners, reacts to a presentation by Christy Rasmussen, Game and Parks communications director. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

LINCOLN -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission heard an update on the Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan during its meeting Friday in McCook.

Commissioners heard about the Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan, the role and input by the plan's advisory committee, an update on public input received during a June 1 informational meeting, and the next steps in the process.

The Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan is a comprehensive plan that provides guidance to cohesively manage the lakes for the natural resources and the public that use the lakes. It will complement Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's Land and Shoreline Management Plan for the area and provide Nebraska Game and Parks the ability to better address the issues that have been brought up by constituents.

The commissioners also heard an update on pheasant research in southwestern Nebraska; a report on turkey management and hunting in Nebraska; and a communications report on spring events and promotional campaigns.

A presentation by Christy Rasmussen, Game and Parks communications director, on the digital and electronic marketing strategies used to promote Nebraska's state parks and vacation opportunities. Rasmussen said Game and Parks capitalizes on promotional advertisements and messages delivered through email, social media websites, online advertising and banner ads on mobile or Web sites to reach present and potential customers. Rasmussen said G&P's marketing objectives include positioning state parks as a destination of choice and educating Nebraskans and others on the wealth of activities and opportunities in the state's parks. "I like where this is going," Fisher told Rasmussen.