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NRD News and Events

NRDs Now Taking Orders for Spring Tree Seedlings

Friday, November 1, 2024

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are now accepting orders for conservation tree seedlings for spring planting. By ordering early, you can secure your preferred species and make a lasting contribution to the environment.Since 1972, Nebrask...

NRD Hall of Fame Inductees Announced at Husker Harvest Days

Monday, September 16, 2024

Three individuals honored for conservation workLINCOLN, Nebraska – During Husker Harvest Days Wednesday, Sept. 11, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) recognized three individuals, who will be inducted into the NRD Hall of Fame later this month.“Nebraska...

USDA Providing Funds to Protect and Restore Agricultural Working Lands, Grasslands and Wetlands across Nebraska

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Applications due October 4, November 15, and December 20, 2024 at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Offices.September 4, 2024 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program...

A Nebraska Solution

Friday, July 5, 2024

By Kris PollyNebraska’s Legislative Bill 962, passed in 2004, was a decisive step toward better water management—and it is one that other states can learn from. In this month’s cover story, we speak with Tom Riley, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Res...

USDA Reminds Nebraska Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Lincoln, Nebraska, June 18, 2024 – Agricultural producers in Nebraska should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office as soon as possible to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline after planting is complete. The...

Dams Protect Lives and Property During Intense Rainstorms

Thursday, May 23, 2024

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Amid a series of intense rainstorms, eastern Nebraska faced a deluge that brought up to 10 inches of rain within hours. Thanks to a network of floodwater-reduction dams, lives were saved, and property damage was significantly mitigated. These dams,...

NRDs Help Commemorate Arbor Day with Concolor Fir Planting at State Capitol

Monday, April 29, 2024

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Joined by esteemed guests including Lt. Governor Joe Kelly and representatives from the Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, Arbor Day Foundation, and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) celebr...

Nebraska’s NRDs Advocate for Conservation Funding in Washington, D.C.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) were represented by nearly 50 directors and staff in Washington, D.C., March 18-20, 2024.Nebraska’s NRDs advocate for strengthening tools to preserve and fund natural resources projects, which includes e...

Nebraska Cooperative Council Partners with NRDs on Producer Connect

Friday, March 22, 2024

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Nebraska Cooperative Council on the development of a groundbreaking web and mobile application suite, Producer Connect. Producer Connect is designed to empo...

Nebraska unveils state's first Climate Action Plan, aims to reduce emissions by over 30%

Monday, March 11, 2024

Andrew Wegley Nebraska submitted the state's first Climate Action Plan to federal regulators earlier this month, outlining voluntary and incentive-based programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants in the state.The...

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Regional/National Water News

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

Farmers restore native grasslands as groundwater disappears

09/09/2021

To avoid Dust Bowl conditions, more farmers are restoring native grasslands in areas where the nation’s largest aquifer is drying up and rainfall is often scarce. By TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press MULESHOE, Texas (AP) — For decades, the Texas Panhandle was green with cotton...Read more