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NRD News and Events

Reverse Osmosis Funding Available for Private Well Owners

Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has announced that funding will be available for private well owners to install RO systems to address high nitrate levels in drinking water. Information about the program requirements for eligibility can be found at the NDEE...

UNL study confirms irrigation's impact on humidity, yields possible link to rain

Monday, October 31, 2022

By: Nancy GaarderIncreased rain in Illinois and Indiana. Less rain in some Nebraska communities.Muggier weather. Changes in winds.Intense irrigation in Nebraska is having a complex effect on the weather, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say“Some of th...

Another dry winter in Nebraska could mean irrigation restrictions next year

Monday, October 31, 2022

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Severe weather, high winds and a lack of rainfall all worked against Nebraska’s farmers this summer.But the trouble started with much lower than average precipitation last winter.Nebraska’s water managers are keeping a close eye on the water leve...

83% of Nebraska kids have detectable lead levels, but unprecedented help is coming

Friday, October 28, 2022

By: Matt Chibe, Matthew MittliederLINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A recent study shows that more than half of all children in the United States have detectable lead levels in their blood, and Nebraska is even worse.According to research shared by the American J...

Precipitation Data Available on URNRD Website

Monday, August 22, 2022

The Upper Republican Natural Resources District (URNRD) has new Perkins County precipitation data available on its website.The Nebraska Water Balance Alliance (NEWBA) has installed 10 new precipitation recording sites within the HUC-12 watershed northwest and southeast of Gr...

Connecting Children to Nature

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Connecting Children to Nature NRDs play an important role in outdoor learning LINCOLN, Nebraska – Since their inception, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) have organized projects and programs to educate both youth and adults about conservation and natura...

USDA to Allow Producers to Request Voluntary Termination of Conservation Reserve Program Contract

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

USDA Announces Additional Flexibilities to Help Address Threats to Global Food SecurityWASHINGTON, May 26, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants who are in the final year of their CRP contract to request...

As Arbor Day Celebrates 150, NRDs Reflect on 50

Monday, May 2, 2022

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Along with Lt. Governor Mike Foley and local dignitaries from the Nebraska Forest Service and Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) celebrated their 50th anniversary with the planting of two Red Oaks on the Nebraska state...

Nebraska’s NRDs Plant 100 Millionth Tree

Monday, April 25, 2022

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Since their inception in 1972, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) have been planting conservation trees and shrubs for windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes. This spring, the NRD Conservation Tree Pro...

March 2022 Newsletter

Monday, March 21, 2022

Pages

Regional/National Water News

Bison return program is now helping Native American ranchers build herds

11/08/2022

About 330 bison coming from Nebraska preserve operated by the Nature Conservancy BY: PAUL HAMMEL - NOVEMBER 3, 2022 LINCOLN — For years, Wayne Frederick and his father managed a herd of bison held by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of south-central South Dakota. But now, a unique...Read more

Nebraska on pace for second-worst wildfire year ever; 2023 outlook is dim

11/07/2022

Drought and strong winds spawned large, fast-moving fires in spring, summer and fall BY: PAUL HAMMEL - NOVEMBER 7, 2022 LINCOLN — Worsening drought, coupled with strong, sustained winds, have combined to put 2022 on track as the second-worst year for wildfires in Nebraska...Read more

Dry wetlands impact birds that migrate to and from Nebraska

11/02/2022

by Risell Ventura KEARNEY, Neb. — Just a couple of days ago, the Platte River was lacking flowing water. Now as water is starting to flow again, NTV News spoke with the Crane Trust and the Rowe Sanctuary about how the drought can impact the birds that migrate to and from...Read more

Ricketts says Colorado is not delivering enough water on the South Platte

09/21/2022

By Fred Knapp, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media Sept. 21, 2022 Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said Colorado is not delivering all the water it is supposed to from the South Platte River. Ricketts made his remarks in a presentation at the public library in Ogallala on...Read more

Topsoil protection should be stressed in the next farm bill, U.S. House Ag panel told

09/17/2022

BY: ARIANA FIGUEROA - SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect...Read more

U.S. agricultural groups spell out their priorities in the next farm bill

08/02/2022

BY: ALLISON WINTER - AUGUST 2, 2022 7:31 PM Major U.S. agricultural production groups are pulling together their requests for the next farm bill — the massive legislation that Congress rewrites every five years to set farm and food policy — with crop insurance and disaster...Read more

Drought drops Platte River to one of its lowest levels in decade in Nebraska

07/30/2022

By: Nancy Gaarder Stunning images of a virtually dry Platte River near Columbus are yet another reminder of the grip that drought has had on the region. That stretch of river dropped this week to one of its lowest levels in about a decade, said Jeremy Gehle, water...Read more

The Perfect Storm: Now’s the Time to Safeguard Your Soil

05/16/2022

By JENNA HOFFMAN May 16, 2022 A dust storm rippled through the Midwest late last week, followed by rain in some parts and continued heat in others. The Great Plains is no stranger to this weather phenomenon, but producers up north are less familiar with it. Images of the...Read more

KGS report indicates 2021 drained Kansas groundwater levels

03/23/2022

By Sarah Motter LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) - A new report from the Kansas Geological Survey , based at KU, found that groundwater levels have dropped by over a foot in western and central Kansas. The University of Kansas says preliminary data gathered by the Kansas Geological...Read more

Grasslands need protection now

03/13/2022

North America's grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. By Jacob Hanson The grade school textbooks in my rural, northern Minnesota classroom raised an issue that led to lunchroom table talk over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Rainforests were...Read more