The Natural Resources Building at Husker Harvest Days is known for its give-away of Colorado blue spruce tree seedlings. But that's not the only free handout at the building, Lot 1106. A packet of native prairie seeds also is given away to visitors each year.

"We encourage folks to take our seed packets and plant them to bring on wildlife," says David Carr, range management specialist with the Central Platte Natural Resources District.

The Central Platte NRD started the seed packet give-away five years ago, but Carr says other NRDs now have gotten involved. So stop by the Nebraska Association of Resources District's booth in the building to get your packet.

The packet contains a native prairie seed mix of wildflowers and warm-season grasses, all native to Nebraska.

The packet contains a native prairie seed mix of wildflowers and warm-season grasses, all native to Nebraska.

The habitat-based mix, according to Carr, will provide benefits for pollinators, nesting birds, watershed health and shelter for wildlife and birds.

"The mix is beneficial to watershed and wetlands because the grass species are deep-rooted, slowing runoff and aiding in groundwater recharge," he adds.

Carr says the tall grasses, when blown over, form shelter for birds such as quail and pheasant.

The packet has enough seed for a 20- by 20-foot plot. "The idea is for folks to see the benefits of creating wildlife habitat and then obtain more seed to plant," he says.