• Homestead National Monument of America
  The Homestead Act of 1862 had an immediate effect on America, and it is still felt today. Under this law, more than 270 million acres, 10 percent of the nation, were given to people. It made for profound changes to land, Indians, immigration, migration patterns, culture, industry, and agriculture. Homestead National Monument of America commemorates these changes, and the lives and accomplishments of the pioneers. Located Four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska.
  
  
• Missouri National Recreation River
  Two stretches of the Missouri River are protected here. The portion set aside in 1978; from Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, to Ponca, Nebraska, still exhibits the river's dynamic character in its islands, bars and chutes. The portion set aside in 1991; from Ft. Randall Dam near Pickstown, South Dakota, to Niobrara, Nebraska, represents the natural landscape of the Missouri River, reminiscent of pre-settlement days.
  
  
• Nebraska National Forest
  The nearly 1.1 million acres administered by the Nebraska National Forest Supervisor are scattered across a large arc extending from central Nebraska west to the northern Panhandle, into southwestern South Dakota, and on east to the state's center. Representing a cross section of the northern Great Plains ecosystems are three National Grasslands, the Buffalo Gap and Fort Pierre (pronounced "peer") in South Dakota, and the Oglala in Nebraska.
  
  
• Niobrara National Scenic River
  This 76-mile reach of the Niobrara River in northcentral Nebraska was added to the nation's Wild and Scenic River System in 1991 to showcase a stellar example of a Great Plains river and preserve a unique ecological crossroads where six distinct ecosystems, some at or beyond their normal geographic limit, mix. The western third of the Scenic River is home to some ninety waterfalls, highest among them being Fort Falls and Smith Falls that topple more than seventy-five feet from a Sand Hills ledge to the valley floor.
  
  
• Scotts Bluff National Monument
  A prominent natural landmark for emigrants on the Oregon Trail, Scotts Bluff, Mitchell Pass and the adjacent prairie lands are set aside in a 3,000 acre national monument. This site preserves the memory of the historic Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. The monument museum contains exhibits about the human and natural history of the area and also holds a unique collection of watercolor paintings by the frontier photographer and artist William Henry Jackson. Located at Gering, Nebraska.
  
  

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