Whether wading in a marsh teaching children why wildlife needs clean water, or helping with high school land judging contests, each NRD’s Information and Education professionals know ecosystems benefit when youngsters learn about conservation.

“Conservation education helps students understand and appreciate our natural resources and offers information on how to conserve those resources now and for future generations,” said Larry Schultz, the Lower Loup NRD’s Information and Education Coordinator.

WORKING LOCAL

Locally-elected dire ctors represent each NRD. The NRDs’ 12 areas of responsibility include flood control, groundwater quality and quantity, soil erosion, and irrigation runoff. NRDs have planted more than 95 million trees through partnerships with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Nebraska Forest Service. After nitrate levels climbed in some Antelope, Knox and Pierce County wells, the Lewis & Clark NRD, Lower Niobrara NRD, Upper Elkhorn NRD, and Lower Elkhorn NRD joined with producers to form the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA).

When not absorbed by crops because too much was applied, application timing was off, or because precipitation or excess irrigation washed it away, nitrogen infiltrates the water supply. Fertilizer also leaches from golf courses and lawns.

The BGMA partners developed a management plan. The problem developed over decades of nitrogen use. Decades of cooperative hard work will be required to resolve it.