2025 LEWIS AND CLARK NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT – YEAR IN REVIEW
As the Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD) closes out 2025, we are proud to reflect on a year marked by growth, innovation, and impact. From major milestones to community engagement, 2025 has been a transformative year for the LCNRD.
LCNRD activities are led by eleven locally elected directors: Ryan Loecker, St. Helena; Russ Schmidt, St Helena; Jeff Steffen, Crofton; Scott Kinkaid, Hartington; Chris Johnson, Bloomfield; Dave Condon, Creighton; Carly Christensen, Hartington; Dan Kollars, Hartington; Matt Weinandt, Wynot; Tyler Schweers, Ponca; and Carl Lamb, Allen.
Highlights:
LCNRD provided cost-share and technical support to district landowners and operators through local, state, and federal programs to implement conservation practices. Funds were allocated to protect land and water resources, including grass seeding, planned grazing systems, irrigation management, brush management, windbreak renovations, well sealing, and tree planting.
LCNRD continues its 5-year rotation to collect water-quality samples from all irrigation wells across the district. Residents receive nitrate results for the tested well(s), information on potential health impacts associated with nitrate levels exceeding the EPA-established MCL of 10 ppm, and guidance on accounting for nitrate in irrigation water when planning fertilizer application.
LCNRD received grant funding through the Water Sustainability Fund to assist producers in adopting new technologies and practices on their operations. More updates are expected in 2026.
A 30-foot CrustBuster AllPlant grain drill was purchased by LCNRD for landowners to use when planting cover crops and cash crops within the Bow Creek Watershed and around the district.
LCNRD provided rototilling and tree-planting services for the first time to landowners seeking to establish conservation tree belts and windbreaks. This integrated approach supports successful tree establishment and meets the practical needs of landowners preparing for the planting season.
LCNRD partnered with other NRDs to develop the Producer Connect app, which producers can use to track crops and inputs across fields.
These services are part of LCNRD’s ongoing commitment to conservation, erosion control, and habitat enhancement throughout the region.
LCNRD also partnered with NRDs, agencies, local educators, and producers to promote conservation through classroom activities, festivals, field days, and conferences.
LCNRD was invited into district classrooms to present activities such as: Awesome Aquifer, We All Live in a Watershed, Recycling Trivia, Enviroscape, Building Compost, and Habitat Hopscotch, among others.
Acorn Was a Little Wild was read to area kindergarten classes, where they were shown the lifecycle of trees and their importance to nature. Kindergarteners across the district were given a Black Hills Spruce seedling as part of the Arbor Day program.
LCNRD presented “We All Live in A Watershed” at the 31st annual water festival, “Aquafest,” for area 5th graders and volunteered at the 36th annual “Wonderful World of Water” for high schoolers.
LCNRD sponsors the annual National Association of Conservation Districts’ poster contest; this year’s theme was “Home is Where the Habitat Is.” Two local artists won their grade division at the State level. Clara Steffen of Fordyce, Holy Trinity Elementary School, 4th-6th grade division, and Kiersten Hans of Wynot, Wynot Public School, the 7th-9th grade division.
Bow Creek Watershed Project hosted a 1-day bus trip to Green Covers Field Day in Bladen, NE, which offered valuable information on growing grasses for livestock forage, incorporating cover crops into your garden or homestead, demonstrations of farm equipment, hands-on in-field soil testing, and tours of cover crop plots.
Summer Field Day at Junior Pfanstiel’s Farm highlighted cover crops, specialized equipment, and speakers from across the state who shared their expertise on implementing best management practices and the benefits of doing so.
LCNRD and the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts recognized the Bow Creek Watershed Project Mentor Group for Outstanding Water Conservation. The peer-to-peer group was formed in 2021 to further the goals of the Bow Creek Watershed Project. Producers share experiences and information to improve water quality, soil health, and profitability.
The second annual Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference was held in Norfolk at the Lifelong Learning Center on December 16th. This conference was created to exchange practical farm and ranch ideas that will help protect water quality and improve the farm’s bottom line. It provides an opportunity for producers to learn from others, increasing their operation’s environmental stewardship and financial stability.
LCNRD supports the action of many programs to benefit and protect the lives, property, and future of Northeast Nebraska. For more information, contact the LCNRD at 402-254-6758 or stop in the office at 608 N. Robinson Ave, Hartington, NE 68739.