Acknowledgements

This website and the corresponding book, Turkey Creek Preserve, illustrate the evolving natural habitat envisioned by Mary Lou Chapek in collaboration with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the Turkey Creek Charitable Foundation Board. Special thanks to Connie Kostel Spittler, author/editor, and Mary Macchietto Bernier.

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STATISTICS and DATA come primarily from UNO Faculty and Volunteer Naturalists who head up the studies, research, surveys, bandings, and counts at Turkey Creek: Tim Dickson, PhD; Suzanne Gucciardo, PhD; Jeremy White, PhD; Linda and Ron Ferring, Kate Murphy, Rick Schmid, and Jerry Toll. Information specifically tied to the Preserve may not reflect national figures. We also thank Ashlee Dere, PhD for loess soil information. As technical advisor, Kim Sosin, PhD, provided constant assistance.

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NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY—The season-by-season photography of Alex Wiles presents an extensive array of wildlife at Turkey Creek Preserve (TCP), with images of our land, plants, trees, and water resources. His pictures of our volunteers demonstrate the ways that research, studies, counts, and bandings contribute to Preserve programs. Trail Cam photos are part of UNO’s Fauna of the Great Plains Course. For additional nature photography, we are grateful to Suzanne Gucciardo, Kim Sosin, Phil Swanson, Kim Justus, and Laura Stastny, Executive Director, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. Cathy Prettyman, Loren Padelford, and Don Poggensee also provided assistance. We included as many TCP birds, animals, insects, and other wildlife as possible. Our apologies to the illusive creatures not represented. 

Photography of Mary Lou Chapek courtesy of Mervin Reese Photography and Dave Sands, Nebraska Land Trust. 

General text by Connie Kostel Spittler, author/editor, and Mary Macchietto Bernier.

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NATURE INFORMATION includes interesting facts to increase the recognition and understanding of the wild creatures that live or visit Turkey Creek Preserve. We extend our sincere gratitude to Suzanne Gucciardo for her extensive knowledge and the generous time given to fact checking the informational material. 

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INSPIRATIONAL WORDS honor the natural world in the hope that significant quotes from Native Americans, noted naturalists, authors, and poets will deepen the understanding of the goal of Turkey Creek Preserve.

 

STORYTELLING—We respectfully include Native American symbolism and creation stories to reflect the spirit of various Indigenous tribal traditions. The vignettes were intended as tribute to the Turkey Creek Preserve wild creatures as Relatives that belong to the land. We honor the diversity of words and narratives within Indigenous traditions, including within the same tribe. Our gratitude to Brady DeSanti, PhD; Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Nation, Director of Native American Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha, for his assistance.