Online Registration for Conservation Sensation Now Open

March 9, 2010

Registration is now open for the 2010 Spring Conservation Sensation, scheduled for Wednesday, May 5 at Czechland Lake near Prague.

The Conservation Sensation, an all-day, hands-on natural resources festival, is open to 5th and 6th grade classes from Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Platte and Saunders counties. Space is limited and registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis; the registration deadline is April 2.

• Register Online Now
• Get more info on the Conservation Sensation

NRD & Partners Keep Close Watch on Platte River Ice

March 1, 2010

As temperatures warm, the Lower Platte North NRD and its partners in the Platte River Ice Jam Agreement are keeping a close eye on ice conditions on the river.

The partnership will continue monitoring the river as it thaws, and has funds set aside to hire explosive experts to dislodge any serious ice jams that might form. This is in addition to coal dusting that was performed by the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency a few weeks ago to help speed melting.

• Get more info on the Ice Jam Agreement
• Get current ice conditions from the Department of Natural Resources

New Viaduct Available for Download

Feb. 2, 2010

The new issue of the Viaduct is now available for download in PDF format. Stories in this issue include:

• Lake Wanahoo Dam 90% Complete
• NRD Budget
• Prague Qualifies for National Land Judging
• Area Conservationists Honored at Banquet

... and more.

Download (PDF, 1.5 MB)

For more information or to subscribe to the Viaduct, go here.

Online Ordering Now Available for Soil & Water Stewardship Week

Jan. 31, 2010

Soil & Water Stewardship Week 2010 will be celebrated April 25-May 2. The theme this year is "Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats."

Any church or school in the Lower Platte North NRD is eligible to order Soil & Water Stewardship Week materials at no cost. Orders are due by March 5 and will be delivered in mid-April.

• Order Online Now
• More About Soil & Water Stewardship Week

Certification Class Schedule for 2010

December 22, 2009

All individuals (owners, operators, producers, crop consultants) who engage in production agriculture within the NRD must be certified with the district every four years. Free certification classes are held at various locations throughout the district January-March each year. The class schedule for 2010 is now available; follow the link below for the full schedule and more information.

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Conservation Efforts Recognized at NRD Annual Banquet

November 30, 2009

Area conservationists were honored at the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District’s Annual Banquet on November 29 at the Klein Center in Brainard. Each year, the NRD gives awards for outstanding efforts in conservation of our soil and water resources. Award winners are chosen by NRD staff and directors.

This year's award winners included Kurt Skillstad of Albion, Aaron Nygren of Coflax County Extension, Steve Satra of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Brach Johnson of Butler County NRCS.

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Order Trees Online Now for Spring 2010

November 17, 2009

The Lower Platte North NRD is now accepting online orders for handplant trees for spring 2010. You can order your trees now and they will be delivered to your local Natural Resources Conservation Office next spring.

The LPNNRD sells trees to anyone within the district. Seedlings are two years old and approximately 12" to 18" tall. Handplant orders must be purchased in multiples of 25.

• Online Order Form
• More Info on Tree Planting
  

Second Round of Variance Request Accepted Until Dec. 15 for Limited Development in Stay Areas

October 26, 2009

The Lower Platte North NRD is taking a second round of variance requests for new wells and expansion of irrigated acres in its former “fully-appropriated” stay area.

Irrigators were initially able to apply for variance requests for new wells and/or expansion of irrigated acres in the former stay area from August 6 to September 15. That initial variance request period resulted in applications for less than half of the district’s allotted 5,000 acres for 2009-2010, so the NRD decided to hold another round.

The deadline to apply for variance requests in this second round will be December 15th, 2009. The NRD will issue variances for up to 2,750 acres. If those acres are all applied for in this round, another round will NOT be held and irrigators will have to wait until fall 2010 until they can apply again.

More...

Prague, Waverly, Norris Qualify for State Land Judging

October 9, 2009

Land judging teams from Prague, Waverly and Norris are headed for state competition after placing in the top tier at the East Central Land Judging Contest, held Oct. 8 in Butler County.

The annual Land Judging contests are regional field competitions where FFA students compete to identify soil characteristics and suggested land practices at four different sites chosen by a soil scientist. Students work individually but are scored in teams of four, and the top teams in each region advance to state competition in November.

• Full Story
• Photo Gallery (opens in new window)

New Recreation Areas Map Available

August 20, 2009

The popular "NRD Recreation Areas" brochure has been updated for 2009. This oversize full-color brochure features maps and photos of NRD recreation areas across the state (including 11 new ones added since the last update), along with directions to each area and detailed lists of the facilities and fish species. Whether you're looking for a quiet fishing hole, a hiking area, a place to hunt, or a scenic spot to enjoy a picnic, chances are you can find what you're looking for at one of the many recreation areas featured in the brochure.

You can order a free copy of the brochure here.