News
WHY PLANT CONSERVATION TREES?
The first Nebraskan settlers realized the value of trees. They planted millions of trees on barren homesteads to help fulfill their basic needs for protection, building material, fuel, and food. Planting trees became a Nebraska tradition and Nebraska proudly became known as “The Tree Planter State”. Today, all Nebraskans benefit from the trees planted by our forefathers.
Trees continue to be an important part of Nebraska’s landscape. It is estimated there is a need to annually plant about 6 million trees in Nebraska. A shelter belt planting can provide multiple benefits including:
- Environment: Helpful in carbon removal, returns oxygen to the atmosphere.
- Crop Protection: Protects crops against drought by providing protection from wind and heavy rain.
- Livestock Protection: Reduces stress on livestock during heat and winter storms.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides over-winter refuges, nesting sites and pollen and nectar feeding sources and protects other habitat.
- Soil Conservation: Creates natural barriers that protect soil and crops
- Water Quality: A cover of trees and shrubs minimizes soil erosion, stabilizes stream banks in riparian areas, and removes soil contaminants.
- Food: Many trees and shrubs are a valuable source of fruit and nuts for humans and animals.
- Water Management: Can reduce surface water runoff and pollution to the streams.
If you are interested in planting trees you can order seedlings in bundles of 25 from LCNRD. Order forms are available by contacting LCNRD at 402-254-6758 or at lcnrd.nebraska.gov/forestry. For information on developing a conservation tree plan contact your local NRCS office.
CHEMIGATION APPLICATOR TRAINING 2023
The Nebraska Chemigation Act was passed in 1987 to help ensure that the backflow of chemicals would not contaminate the ground and surface waters of the state from irrigation water application systems used to apply crop nutrients and pesticides (chemigation). The law requires producers who plan to apply fertilizer or pesticide through an... Read More
LCNRD AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNERS!
Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) held the first LCNRD Amateur Photography contest, which encouraged LCNRD residents to get out and capture the natural wonders of the district. Residents were asked to send in photographs representing nature, wildlife, conservation, and/or agriculture. Staff and directors selected the winning... Read More
TIME TO PLAN FOR 2023 CONSERVATION TREE PLANTING
The 2023 tree planting season is just around the corner, and the time is now to plan your windbreak or conservation tree planting. The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) will take orders for spring planting from now until March 31, 2023.
Conservation trees play vital roles in our environment – providing wind protection... Read More
$1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO AREA SENIORS
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) provides two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors living within the LCNRD boundary. Patefield – Green Memorial Scholarships are available to students who intend to pursue an agricultural-related career and plan to return to the area and help local communities to conserve... Read More
FALL 2022 DISTRICT WELL MEASUREMENTS
The static water level of 34 irrigation wells, from selected locations throughout the Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD), is measured semi-annually. Fall 2022 readings, following a pumping season that was the second season of heavier than most recent seasons, show average water levels lower than the fall of 2021. All of the 34... Read More
LCNRD BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROVIDE CLARIFICATION TO 180-DAY STAY OF DEVELOPMENT ON HIGH-CAPACITY WELLS
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) enacted a 180-day stay of development on high-capacity wells under the authority of Nebraska Revised Statutes, 46-707, at their regularly scheduled board meeting on November 17, 2022. The board of directors clarified the language of the stay at their regular... Read More
LOCAL POSTER WINNER MOVES ON TO THE NATIONAL CONTEST
“Healthy Soils, Healthy Life” was the topic of the 2022 National Conservation Association District (NACD) Poster Contest and Stewardship Week. Students from around the district submitted their posters depicting earthworms, tractors, roots, flowers, farms, and so much more to their local NRD for judging. Local contest winners were sent to the... Read More
2022 Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District – Year in Review
In 2022, the Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) board of directors continued implementing conservation practices, projects, and services in Northeast Nebraska. LCNRD activities are led by a board of eleven locally elected directors; Carolyn Heine, St. Helena; Russ Schmidt, St Helena; Jeff Steffen, Crofton; Marcel Kramer,... Read More
PLAN FOR SPRING CONSERVATION TREE PLANTINGS
Even though winter is on its way it is time to plan for spring 2023 conservation tree plantings. The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) is taking orders for spring-delivered conservation trees. Trees come in bundles of twenty-five and the price per tree is $1.20 each or $30 per bundle plus sales tax.
Conservation trees... Read More
LCNRD SAYING GOODBYE TO MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND WILL BE WELCOMING TWO NEW FACES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eleven elected directors guide the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) activities, directors represent five subdistricts, with two directors serving from each subdistrict and one serving at-large. The directors are elected by the voters living within each subdistrict and serve four-year terms, with 5 to 6 seats for election... Read More
2022 NACD POSTER CONTEST WINNERS!
Thank you to all who participated in the 2022 National Association of Conservation District (NACD) Poster Contest sponsored by Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD). Three schools, Holy Trinity Elementary, Wynot, and Bloomfield, participated. There were 22 entries for the 4th through 6th grade competition level and 13 for 7th... Read More
LCNRD BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENACTS 180-DAY STAY OF HIGH-CAPACITY WELL DEVELOPMENT
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) enacted a 180-day stay of development on high-capacity wells and expansion of irrigated acres effective immediately under the authority of Nebraska Revised Statutes, 46-707 at their regularly scheduled board meeting on November 17, 2022. The stay was adopted to... Read More
TREE SALES BEGIN!
Each spring the Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) distribute tree seedlings and provides planting services for conservation purposes such as windbreaks, shelter belts, and wildlife habitat. Seedling orders are accepted from October through March. Planning assistance is available through local Natural Resources Conservation... Read More
LOCAL CONSERVATIONIST WINS NATURAL LEGACY CONSERVATION AWARD
On October 12th, it was announced that Bob Hansen is the recipient of the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project Conservation award in Chadron, NE. Hansen is being recognized for his unparalleled volunteer work and attitude toward preserving Northeast Nebraska’s natural resources. Bob Hansen is a Nebraska Master Naturalist and volunteers with the... Read More
NACD CONTINUES FUNDING LOCAL SOIL CONSERVATIONIST
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. The association was founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made... Read More
LEWIS AND CLARK NRD FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) Board of Directors approved the fiscal year 2023 budget with a slight increase in the overall expenses to $1,984,284 and a decrease in the property tax requirement. With increased property valuations across the district’s three-county area, the tax levy of $0.026759 per $100 of actual... Read More
REMINDER TO IRRIGATORS
If you are planning to expand irrigation to acres that have not been previously irrigated, it is important to check with the LCNRD staff before doing so. LCNRD requires well permits for all high-capacity wells and permits for expanding irrigation to acres that have not been previously irrigated. If the acres proposed for irrigation are steep... Read More
STATE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS TO INSTALL REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has announced that funding will be available for private well owners to install reverse osmosis systems to address high nitrate levels in drinking water. Applications for the program will be accepted from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with installation required to be completed by... Read More
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) sets aside funds each year to assist communities and other public entities in enhancing and protecting natural resources through the Community Assistance Program (CAP). LCNRD accepts applications year-round and approves requests on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects that will have... Read More
WINDBREAK RENOVATION OPPORTUNITIES IN LCNRD
Windbreaks on farms, ranches, and home acreages provide critical protection for homes, livestock, farmsteads, crops, soil resources, water resources, and wildlife. Conservation tree plantings are valuable assets and investments for the rural landscape. A single tree planting provides numerous benefits to the owner and the neighborhood. However... Read More
CKRWP Proposed Source Water Change and System Upgrades
August 09, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CKRWP Proposed Source Water Change and System Upgrades
The Cedar Knox Rural Water Project (CKRWP) is a Public Water System (PWS) that serves the communities of Crofton, Fordyce, St. Helena, and Obert; more than 900 rural connections; several sanitary improvement... Read More
SEAL ABANDONED OR UNUSED WELLS
The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) provides cost-share to seal unused, or abandoned irrigation or domestic wells. If you have a well that is no longer serviceable and needs to have it permanently taken out of service, LCNRD can help you protect your property and groundwater by having it properly sealed.
Sealing unused... Read More
WANTED: WEATHER WATCHERS
NeRAIN is a network of volunteers who report rainfall from across the state of Nebraska. Funding for NeRAIN comes from all 23 participating Natural Resources Districts, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
Help make an impact: Farmers and others need accurate rain, snow, and hail data to... Read More
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE WELL WATER TESTING
Regularly testing the water quality of your private well is important to maintaining a safe and reliable water source. Test results allow you to properly address specific problems with your water supply. Help ensure the water source is properly protected from potential contamination, that appropriate treatment is selected when needed, and that... Read More
Spring 2022 Well Measuring Results
The static water levels of 33 irrigation wells located throughout the Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) are measured in the spring and fall each year. Groundwater levels measured this spring indicate that the levels have decreased on an overall comparison by 2.3 feet from the spring of 2021 with all but 2 wells showing a... Read More
NRDs Encourage Well Owners to Address Concerns Early
The region has been experiencing lower than average rainfall over the last several months and one heavy irrigation pumping season could result in significant declines in ground water levels. Dry conditions lead to increased irrigation use, which puts increased pressure on the groundwater resources of the district, and potentially results in... Read More