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Information and Education
In May 2006, The City of Alliance used over 107 million gallons of water. This amounts to 3.6 millions gallons of water per day. This water use, coupled with 300 irrigation wells within the immediate four townships surrounding Alliance has caused drastic declines in water levels and exacerbates the need for conservation efforts.
About the Program:
Cash for Grass offers residential homeowners in the UNWNRD a cash rebate to reduce the amount of lawn area and water used in their landscapes by installing Bowie brand buffalograss from Niobrara Sod Farm.
Particpants can receive 45 cents per square foot of irrigated lawn area removed and replaced with Bowie buffalograss.
Likewise a new homeowner installing a landscape for the first time can receive the rebate for a new sod installation. In either case, the rebate is limited to $540, or 1,200 square feet per residential family home.
Participants can purchase the sod in bulk for 65 cents per square foot, with a minimum order of 300 square feet. The sod will be delivered to your home.
The cost of the sod does not include site preparation or installation. A homeowner can do their own site preparation and/or installation, or pay to have it installed.
Buffalograss: Buffalograss is highly resistant to common turf insects including: grubs, webworms and billbugs. It will grow in shade, but does better in sun.
Because Buffalograss is a warm season turfgrass, its growing season is typically a few weeks shorter than that of bluegrass or fescue. It will take longer to become green in the spring and will go dormant and lose its color more quickly in the fall. However, this shorter growing season saves time in mowing and watering costs.
Buffalo grass uses about 75% less water than traditional turfgrasses, or 17,217 fewer gallons per year on a 1,000 square foot yard. After your Cash for Grass rebate and depending on your municipality's water rate, your lawn could pay for itself in three to five years.
Participation Requirements:Applicants must:
Please click here for a nomination form! Every year the UNWNRD takes in nominations from the public for those individuals in our district who have done an exemplary job of furthering both the knowledge, and practices, of conservation in their area. Their efforts to improve the quality of the land, water, and wildlife within the district sets them apart, and this award is a great way to show our gratitude. Community members may be nominated by any member of the public, as well as by any public agency, such as the Nebraska Forest Service, or the NRCS. The categories for nomination are:Please contact us at 308.432.6190 for more information.
Each year the UWNRD hosts an educational day for fifth grade students in the district. The festival will be held on April 27th for 2010. Students have the opportunity to visit different presenters who set up hands-on stations to teach about conservation.
The 2009 Festival was on April 21st and featured maze where students "picked up" water contamination, bubbles as big as a kiddie pool and weed-eating goats used by the organization PRIDE. They also learned about pollution, ground water, soil and tree facts.
    The Annual Northwest Nebraska Conservation FestivalPlease contact us at 308.432.6190 for more information.
Project WET
The purpose of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is "to facilitate and promote the awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom ready teaching aids and the establishment of state and internationally sponsored Project WET programs." Project WET was originally developed in 1984 by the North Dakota State Water Commission. Five years later (1989) Montana State University received funding to develop a multi- state program. This new initiative was so successful that the decision was made to develop Project WET U.S.A. Today this program exists in all fifty states and has experienced great success.
Through interactive projects and lessons students gain an understanding of the importance of water for everyone from farmers and ranchers to energy producers, and even wildlife. They also learn why careful water management is imperative to sustaining future life, and economic stability. Students become aware of, and learn respect for, the water sources around them while taking the first steps toward a responsible attitude where nature is concerned.
This program is designed for students grade K-12 and is easily adaptable to any classroom, outdoor, or home setting. Both formal and non-formal educators can benefit from this program (non-formal educators can be anyone from resource agency educators, zoo educational staff, youth organization leaders, etc.).
Project WILD, Aquatic WILD
Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design) was first presented for use in 1983 and was developed by Western Regional Environmental Education Council (WREEC), now known as the Council for Environmental Education (CEE), and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA). At the time of the projects introduction twenty (20) states were already involved with the project. By 1991 all 50 states were conducting the program, and in 2003 according to Project WILD timelines over 900,000 educators and 45 million youth have participated in Project WILD, and Aquatic WILD since 1983.
Both Project WILD, and its sibling Aquatic WILD are suitable for students K-12. Project WILD focuses on wildlife, and the habitats that they require for survival. Aquatic WILD focuses on aquatic wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Both projects are extremely interactive, and have the flexibility to be held both indoors and outside, depending on the educators requirements.
Project Learning Tree
The mission of Project Learning Tree (PLT) is to use the forest as a "window" on the world to increase students' understanding of the environment; stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students' ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill in students the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment.
PLT began in 1976, and like its fellows has experienced enormous success, both at home and abroad. PLT focuses on bringing the issues of water, pollution, forests, and others together to form a cohesive unit, demonstrating the interdependency of each topic.
This program is designed for use by PreK- 8th grade students. Each activity is adaptable for different age groups. There are a variety of activities that can be conducted both in and outdoors to give varied learning experience.
WorkshopsFacilitators are available throughout the district to conduct workshops for teachers, 4-H leaders, camp counselors, an all others interested in furthering conservation education through children. These workshops can be held specifically for a school district during an in-service day, or scheduled periodically throughout the district for all interested parties to attend. These workshops are often provided at little or no cost to the participates, and each participant receives a great deal of materials and gifts, as well as a day of fun!
To schedule a workshop, or Project WET, WILD or Learning Tree activity for your classroom or event please contact
Sheri Daniels at 308-432-6190 or daniels at unwnrd.org.
The EnviroScape is a presentation centered around the identification of various pollutants, their affects on the landscape and wildlife surrounding the area, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) that can help alleviate and/or prevent the harm from local pollutants. This presentation is an interactive lesson that is adaptable to a range of ages (K-Adult).
This presentation focuses on Point Source and Non- point source pollution using visual representations of pollution. This includes Kool-Aide fertilizer, coco powder manure, "sludge" from the factory, and various other pollutants. All these colorful representations allow participants to track the pollutants path from homes, farms, and workplaces to the lake at the bottom of the display.
The Ground Water Flow Model is used to demonstrate many different concepts; a few of these are how ground water flows
 through the different layers of sediment (direction of flow, location of water), how activity at or near surface and contaminate ground water, and also the relationship between ground water and surface water. This presentation, like the others is interactive for the benefit of the participants. The vacuum pump that is used to pull the water through the model can be operated by those watching to allow a more direct relationship to the process.
 This presentation is also adaptable to many different age groups, however, younger children may have difficulty understanding some of the concepts presented. The information pertaining to this model would be best suited for middle school (5th grade) age children and above.
 "Wood You Believe?"is a presentation developed in conjunction with Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN) to education students on the importance of trees and recycling. This presentation takes students through the various products made from trees, tree "cookies" or rings and how they reflect a trees condition, and composting. In addition, each student receives his or her own seedling to plant and properly care for. Because the seedlings are live, this presentation is usually done on or around the week of Earth Day and Arbor Day.
 To schedule a workshop, or Project WET, WILD or Learning Tree activity for your classroom or event please contact Sheri Daniels at 308-432-6190 or daniels at unwnrd.org.
ACE CAMP Adventure Camp About the Environment hosted by Nebraska's NRDs It is important to the UNWNRD that we provide the best possible conservation resources to the members of our district. To assist district residents, of all ages, in furthering their knowledge of conservation the NRD offers two different scholarships. The scholarship available to all district residents is the Dorshorst Memorial Fund Scholarship. This scholarship is available to anyone who wishes to further their knowledge of conservation methods. Adults, students, teachers, producers are all eligible to receive these funds. Funds can be used to attend workshops or seminars that focus on conserving our natural resources. To apply simply submit a letter to the NRD detailing the workshop, event, or seminar that you wish to attend, cost of attendance, and how you feel this event will further your knowledge of natural resource conservation.
This scholarship is available year round.
Every year the State 4-H Camp in Halsey hosts the Society for Range Management Nebraska Range Youth Camp. The SRM Nebraska Range Youth Camp is for young adults age 14 -18. The NRD offers a scholarship of $275 to each chosen applicant, which covers the complete cost of the camp including meals, lodging, recreation, camp insurance, and transportation while at the camp. Range camps provides students with the opportunity to learn more about range management and also become more aware of natural resources.
Congratulations to our 2009 Society for Range Management Range Camp Scholarship Winners. Brittany Andersen from Lakeside and Logan Colwell, Whiteclay
not pictured, Tyler Nielson, Shea Lindsay, Anna Shadbolt and Sara Marlatt
For more information about the scholarships available through the NRD please contact Sheri Daniels at 308-432-6190 or daniels at unwnrd.org.
Land Judging is a competition that enables high school students to gain a better understanding of land evaluation and soil structure. Participants learn to recognize physical characteristics of soil, determine the lands capacity for crop production, and assess best management practices that will properly maintain the land.
The UNWNRD co-sponsors the Western Panhandle Region District Land Judging every three years. Other agencies involved with Land Judging competitions are local Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), the University of Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, and any other agency willing to assist with the competition. Vocational agriculture instructors also to a great deal of work to help ensure the success of the competition.
Congratulations to the 2007 Winners: Left to Right: Charles Ferguson, Kimball - 3rd Place; Sage Henderson, Alliance - 2nd Place; James Houck, Bayard - 1st Place
 Winning Team - Bayard
For a list of contest rules, or the Guide Book of information please visit the NARD Land Judging website. For more information about the 2007 winners or future contests, contact us at 308-432-6190
Approximately 60% of the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District is rangeland. Range Judging competitions are engaging events that enhance the participants knowledge of rangeland plants, and management methods.
 Co-sponsorship of the Range Judging contest rotates between the three panhandle NRDs. The 2008 Range Judging contest was hosted by the Upper Niobrara White NRD. The contest was held on September 16, a few miles east of Alliance. The State Range Judging committee oversees all range judging in the state, This committee also selects host counties for the event, and sets the rules and regulations. They meet annually and also the evening before the competition. Ed Hebbert, a sophomore from Hyannis High School, won the first place overall award. He and his two teammates, Dan Safarik and Gunnar Johnson won the overall team award.
Pictured above are contestants from the 2008 Range Judging competition observing the range condition.
If you have questions, or would like more information about Range Judging competitions please contact Sheri Daniels at
308.432.6190 or daniels at unwnrd.org
 The Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network (NeRAIN) was developed two years ago by the Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Its purpose is to gather rainfall information through the help of volunteers and use that data to create rainfall pattern maps throughout the state. These maps can be viewed at the NeRAIN website, http://dnrdata.dnr.ne.gov/NeRAIN/index.asp. Originally only 13 NRDs were included in this project. The expansion of this project to the remaining 10 NRDs was made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
 Through this program all-weather rain gauges are provided free of cost to volunteers who are willing to record daily precipitation values on a website developed by DNR. Those values are then put into a map that creates an accurate portrait of the rainfall patterns across the state. The information gained from the project to date has been used by the University of Nebraska and by weather stations both in Nebraska and surrounding states.
The NRDs that will now be participating in the NeRAIN program include: Lewis & Clark; Lower Elkhorn; Lower Niobrara; Lower Platte North; Middle Niobrara; Nemaha; Papio-Missouri; Upper Elkhorn; and the Upper Niobrara White. State Climatologist Allen Dutcher will cover the Lower Platte South area.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in the NeRAIN program please contact Sheri Daniels at 308.432.6190 or daniels at unwnrd.org or visit the NeRAIN Website
 No-till farming systems - although common in many areas of the United States - are rare in Northwest Nebraska due to misconceptions about its ability to produce sufficient yields in our climate. However, many local farmers are proving that this farming method is not only profitable, but it also saves them time and energy while conserving their soil and water resources.
No-till farming systems are those which operate without disturbing the soil through tillage. During planting, seeds are deposited directly into the past crop's residue. Not only does the limited disturbance reduce the potential for wind and water erosion, it also conserves soil moisture and maintains a healthy soil structure.
The Upper Niobrara White NRD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have worked with many local farmers and agencies to develop an ongoing No-Till Farming Education Program for Northwest Nebraska. Each year, we coordinate and host a conference and a field day in our District (Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan and Sioux Counties) with the help of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices.
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