Below are links to student created websites highlighting the outdoor classroom plants and animals.  However outside are QR codes that can be found in the areas of interest marked in the map above.  You may look at these sites prior to visiting LSW by clicking the links below or simply view them on your phones by scanning the QR codes located on the aluminum signs.  Have fun and learn something new!  Ps: you may need some bug spray in the wetlands area.

Look for the signs!  The following pictures give you an idea of what to look for when walking through our outdoor trails and prairie area.  Signs are removed during winter so please be aware that not all locations will have signs up if you use the natural areas during winter months.

Currently the trail is closed until we can remove the many downed trees, again, due to wind storms throughout the summer.  Routine maintenance is something that we have to complete throughout the year due to dynamic weather patterns here in Nebraska.  If you walk the trail and find a downed tree or limbs, proceed with caution or simply turn back around.  Thank you for your time.  September 2025.

Lincoln Southwest High School has a unique campus.  Our campus has several acres of prairie, wetlands, woodlands and a large Bioswale that offsets the chemical pollution picked up by parking lot runoff before the water enters Salt Creek.  In addition to our natural areas on school grounds, we also have a large natural area called Wilderness Park that boarders our school grounds.  Wilderness Park provides habitat for MANY native species in Nebraska, allowing our campus to benefit from the movement of these native species through our campus.

This site is your starting point for an outdoor tour to our natural areas on campus.  You will need to view the map below to know where to park and where our trail system begins.  While you walk the various natural areas on campus, be on the look out for metal sign posts.  These signs have a lid you lift up to reveal several QR codes.  Please use your phone to scan the QR code to learn about the plants and animals in that specific area.  The documents linked to have been created by students and contain images, organism information, video links and fun facts.  Students work very hard to provide accurate information in a format that is fun, informative and easily understood.  

Rules for LSW outdoor use:

Visit the Outdoor Areas during NON-SCHOOL HOURS such as weekends and summer.  Please respect the security and integrity of our educational institution and avoid visiting during school hours.  If you visit campus's natural areas during school hours, our resource police officer and security team will potentially escort you off campus for the security and safety of our students.

1. Do not remove any plant or animal from the property.

2. Do not leave trash during your visit, including natural food carrying devices such as sunflower seed shells, etc.

3. Be aware that the train tracks adjacent to the natural areas is OFF LIMITS.  A fence exists as a warning barrier to the public so please respect the notice to stay away from the train tracks.

4. If you have bug spray on your hands, please refrain from picking up frogs or other animals as the chemicals from the bug spray is harmful to them.  Clean your hands if you wish to handle any of the amphibians in the wetlands and pond areas.

5. There are plants that can be harmful or annoying to humans found in the natural areas: poison ivy and poison hemlock are two of our most notable plants.  Both can cause similar skin reactions so know what they look like please.