Information and Education (I&E)
The Lower Niobrara NRD is committed to providing quality Information and Education opportunities for students and residents of all ages throughout our district.
Our I&E Coordinator, Connie McCarthy, spends much of the spring in classrooms across the district, working directly with students to teach conservation, natural resources, and water stewardship. These hands-on lessons help connect young people to the land and water resources that sustain our communities.
In the fall, preparations begin for 8th Grade Conservation Day, where we host students from across the district and surrounding areas for a full day of interactive learning focused on conservation and responsible resource management.
Summer months are filled with Basin Tours, field research, producer workshops, and regional expos providing opportunities for continued education and engagement with landowners, producers, and community members.
During the winter, the NRD conducts Nitrogen Certification Training and Chemigation Certification Training, ensuring producers have the knowledge and tools necessary to apply nutrients and irrigation water safely and responsibly.
Through every season, the Lower Niobrara NRD remains dedicated to education, outreach, and strengthening the connection between people and natural resources.
On the Calendar
DATE
- April 9, 2026
- April 29, 2026
- May 12, 2026
- June 8-11, 2026
- June 17-18, 2026
- June 21-24, 2026
- July 1, 2026
EVENT
- Natural Resource Festival
- State Envirothon
- Groundwater Festival
- Range Camp
- Sandhill Ranch Expo
- Ace Camp
- NRD Anniversary
Up Coming
Workshops/Conferences/Webinars
- Water Seminar Series: How Water Management Shapes our Communities
- April 9, 2026: Yonts Water Conference: A 2026 Outlook on Irrigation, Weather and More
- April 13-16, 2026: MidAmerica GIS Symposium: “Uniting the Midwest through Mapping”
- June 27, 2026: Nebraska Well Driller Association: CEUs on Well Decommissioning
- July 29-30, 2026: North American Manure Expo
NRD & Conservation Related News
Data Centers
- Flatwater Free Press: Google Proposes Nebraska Data Center requiring more power than all of Lincoln
- Nebraska Examiner: Temporarily banning data centers draws more interest from state, local officials.
- WTMJ Milwaukee Reports: Dodge County(Wisconsin) residents pack forum to learn about Meta data center in Beaver Dam
Legislation
- Nebraska Examiner: Nebraska Lawmakers inch closer to filling $646 million projected budget deficit.
- Nebraska Examiner: Nebraska Lawmakers greenlight second budget bill, little change in deficit.
- Omaha World Herald: Nebraska Lawmakers say Perkins County Canal Funds off limits in budget debate.
2025 RESILENT SOIL HEALTH & WATER MANAGMENT
Brittany Bartak of Yield Plus Agronomics, LLC. led a discussion with local producers focusing on innovative approaches to building resilient soil health and the unique practices they’re implementing on their operations.
FARMING MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICES PANEL
- Will Williams
- JP Johnson
- Mark Frick
- Adam Naslund
- Jessie Poessnecker
- Ernest Hallock
GRAZING MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICES PANEL
- Curtis Gotschall
- Will Williams
- Lester Hasart
- Pat Heerten
- Casey Foster