News

NeRAIN is a network of volunteers who report rainfall from across the state of Nebraska.

Help make an impact: Accurate data on rain, snow, and hail are important for many Nebraska residents. Local volunteers contribute precipitation and storm event data not available from other sources.

NeRAIN volunteers receive a high-quality… Read More

Effective irrigation management is essential for sustaining agricultural output and conserving natural resources. There are thousands of acres in the district that utilize irrigation, and maximizing water efficiency is a crucial factor in managing water use. Employing best management practices—such as regular system maintenance, adopting… Read More

August marks National Water Quality Month, established in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with support from the United Nations. The primary objective is to foster conversations on measures that individuals and communities can adopt to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water for future generations. 

As National… Read More

The region has been experiencing moderate rainfall over the last couple of months, and the irrigation pumping season is starting earlier than in previous years. This could lead to increased irrigation use, which puts… Read More

LCNRD will continue collecting irrigation and domestic well water quality samples during the irrigation season. In the coming years, LCNRD will be collecting samples on a planned 5-year cycle. Initial… Read More

The static water levels of 34 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 a decline in 19 of the 34 wells monitored.

There are multiple aquifers across LCNRD from where water is pumped for… Read More

Land within the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) boundaries has experienced considerable conversion of pasture and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to row crop. Grassland acres with steep slopes which are broken out and brought into crop production run a high risk for erosion which could lead to sediment problems for… Read More

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has funding available through the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program to assist landowners in establishing buffer strips.  A buffer strip provides an area between a stream and crop ground to maximize the filtration of water from rain events, allowing suspended sediment and chemicals to drop out… Read More

Windbreaks can serve many purposes in agricultural operations, such as reducing soil erosion, providing wildlife habitat, and sequestering carbon. Another beneficial attribute of windbreaks is their ability to protect crops and improve crop production.

Wind can have detrimental effects… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) awarded two Patefield-Green Memorial Scholarships to high school seniors in the 2024-2025 school year. LCNRD provides college scholarship funds to graduates who intend to pursue an agricultural-related career, with the hope that they will return and contribute to… Read More

If you have had weed barrier installed around your trees, it is important to check the trees for girdling. Girdling occurs when the tree grows bigger than the opening in the weed barrier will allow it to grow freely. The weed barrier is designed to break down with exposure to the sun, but the tree growth canopy will block the sun and halt this… Read More

Forests, farms, and other wooded areas provide a wide array of health benefits, such as supplying clean water, supporting wildlife habitat, adapting to climate change, and sequestering carbon. Like trees in forests, trees planted in agroforestry practices (windbreaks, shelterbelts, etc.) also sequester carbon and play… Read More

The National Groundwater Association (NGWA) and The Groundwater Foundation (GF) sponsor National Groundwater Awareness across the United States during March. National Groundwater Awareness highlights the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater and encourages yearly water well testing and… Read More

March 14th is Learn About Butterflies Day.

Created in the mid-1980s, National Learn About Butterflies Day provides an opportunity to help educate people about these beautiful, delicate creatures. Butterflies have existed since prehistoric times, with over 28,000 species worldwide. From their bright colors to their graceful flight… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) provides two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors living within its boundary. Patefield—Green Memorial Scholarships are available to students who intend to pursue an agricultural-related career, return to the area, and help local communities conserve and protect our… Read More

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

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

The third annual LCNRD Amateur Photography contest for 2024 encouraged residents to get out and capture the natural wonders throughout the district. Residents were asked to submit photographs representing nature, wildlife, conservation, and/or agriculture. Staff and directors selected the winning photographs by ranking. First place was “Field… Read More

The Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District hosted the 2024 Annual Banquet at the Hartington Golf Club on November 21st. This banquet provides LCNRD with an opportunity to acknowledge years of service for directors and staff and to recognize residents and partners who go above and beyond for Nebraska’s natural resources.

Four LCNRD… Read More

In 2024, the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) board of directors implemented conservation practices, projects, and services in Northeast Nebraska to benefit local natural resources.  LCNRD activities are led by eleven locally elected directors: Carolyn Heine, St. Helena;… Read More

“May the Forest Be With You, Always” was the topic of the 2024 National Conservation Association District (NACD) Stewardship Week and Poster Contest. Students from around the district submitted posters depicting trees, forests, “Darth Vader,” animals, and much more to their local NRD for judging. Local NRD contest winners were sent to the state… Read More

Even though winter is on its way, now is a great time to plan for spring 2025 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 is $32.50 per bundle plus sales tax. LCNRD continues to carry conservation… Read More

Thank you to all who participated in the 2024 National Association of Conservation District (NACD) Poster Contest sponsored by Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD). Two schools, Holy Trinity Elementary and Wynot Public Schools, participated. There were 36 entries in the 2nd through 3rd grade competition level, 45 for the 4th… Read More

On Thursday, November 21st, at 7:30 p.m., the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) will host Dr. Dan Holtz and Dr. Gary Zalud from the Humanities Nebraska, who will perform “Heroism on the Plains: Story Songs of Courage and Determination.” The public is invited to attend the performance at the Hartington Golf Club at 710 W… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are offering water nitrate testing for domestic well water. To have your water tested, fill a small clean glass jar with the water test sample and bring it to the Hartington NRCS Office at… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) Board of Directors approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with an increase in the overall expenses to $3,023,531. The property tax requirement for the three-county area is $0.033227 per $100 of actual valuation, a five percent increase from fiscal year 2024. The Board is committed to… Read More

Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) is hosting the third annual Amateur Photo Contest. The contest promotes residents to spend time outdoors enjoying the beauty of our natural resources and capturing some photos while they are at it. 

Submit your photos by December 31, 2024, following the criteria outlined below:… Read More

The Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) welcomes two new members to the family: Dustin Weinandt and Cole Fiedler, who began responsibilities as Natural Resources Technicians on July 22nd and August 2nd.  Dustin and Cole will work on data management and program administration of the LCNRD activities, including water quality… Read More

With the 2024 irrigation season coming to an end, it is a good idea to consider things that can be done before next year to make irrigation management more efficient. A few things to consider when turning off your pivots for the year: an end-of-the-year checklist so that the pivot equipment is stored properly and is… Read More

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has funding available through the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program to assist landowners in establishing buffer strips.  A buffer strip provides an area between a stream and crop ground to maximize the filtration of water from rain events, allowing suspended sediment and chemicals to drop out… Read More

The groundwater from aquifers supply most of the household water used in Nebraska. Efficient water use and good management practices are necessary to maintain groundwater quantity and quality. Groundwater is a renewable resource, replenished mostly by precipitation that infiltrates into the soil and moves through the pore spaces down to the… Read More

August is National Water Quality Month, founded in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and backed by the United Nations. Its purpose is to trigger conversations about what we can do in our own households and communities to ensure that we all have access to safe, clean drinking water for generations to come. 

As… Read More

Even though this growing season has seen more rainfall in many areas than last year, excessively dry conditions are still possible in areas across the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District. Paying close attention to irrigation needs is essential to maintain a consistent water supply. Efficient use of irrigation water can improve the… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resource District (LCNRD) is seeking a local candidate to consider running for the Subdistrict 5 board seat for the 2024 election. Subdistrict 5 encompasses the area from Ponca to Allen and includes the communities of Allen, Martinsburg, Newcastle, Ponca, and Waterbury, including part or all of several townships in… Read More

The static water levels of 34 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 shown a slight increase on an overall comparison by 0.1 feet from the spring of 2023 with 17 of the 34 wells… Read More

The region has been experiencing above-average rainfall over the last couple of months, and the irrigation pumping season may be shorter than in previous years. If things do become dry, it could lead to heavier irrigation use, which puts increased pressure on the district's groundwater resources and potentially results in decreased groundwater… Read More

Land within the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) boundaries has experienced considerable conversion of pasture and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to row crop. Grassland acres with steep slopes which are broken out and brought into crop production run a high risk for erosion which could lead to sediment problems for… Read More

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has funding available through the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program to assist landowners in establishing buffer strips.  A buffer strip provides an area between a stream and crop ground to maximize the filtration of water from rain events allowing suspended sediment and chemicals to drop out… Read More

Earth Day and Arbor Day are special days set aside to recognize the importance of trees and natural resources. They also provide an ideal opportunity to teach our youth about the value of trees in our lives. Trees are integral to life as we know it, from the food they produce, the shade they provide, the wildlife habitat they create, and the… Read More

May is Nebraska Bird Month, a unique opportunity for NRDs and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) to encourage state residents to explore the diverse bird species that call Nebraska home or are passing through. Nebraska offers a rare chance to view over 400 species of birds, with a record of over 454 different kinds of birds setting… Read More

After a snowy winter, farmers are heading out to fields preparing for spring planting.  For some, that means tilling and fertilizing fields. When applying fertilizer, knowing what nutrients remain in the soil from last year could save time and money.  If you will be planting corn, sampling for soil nutrient content, especially… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD), in partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), is celebrating Stewardship Week from April 29 – May 3, 2024, focusing on the theme “May the Forest Be With You, Always” and educating about trees and forests.  

Regardless of where you live, the city… Read More

There is still time to order seedling trees for the spring 2024 conservation tree planting season.  The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) will continue taking orders for tree seedlings through March 31st.  The trees come in bundles of twenty-five seedlings. The price per bundle of tree or shrub seedlings is $32.50… Read More

Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) is asking the public for nominations for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) awards program. Annually, NARD presents awards in six categories. These awards acknowledge individuals or organizations who have contributed to or brought awareness of the resources in the state of… Read More

The Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) awarded two Patefield-Green Memorial Scholarships to high school seniors in the 2023-2024 school year. LCNRD provides college scholarship funds to graduates who intend to pursue an agricultural-related career in hopes that they will return and contribute to local communities and to the… Read More

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… Read More

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… Read More