Over 18,000 trees have been presented to third graders throughout the District since the program’s inception in 1989. NRD staff deliver the trees each April to classrooms at their request; a short program is provided to educate the youngsters about their tree species and how to plant and care for it. Each child has an opportunity to take a seedling home.

This competition tests teams of five high schoolers in seven categories: soils, wildlife, range, forestry, aquatics, policy, and one national subject which changes each year. Regional contests take place from January-March across the state; winners advance to the State contest in late April at locations that change each year. The lucky State winner represents Nebraska at the national contest later that summer. The regional contest for schools in the Nemaha NRD is in Beatrice in March.

Nebraska Envirothon

Each fall high school FFA students compete in range judging contests and land judging contests throughout the state. Range judging takes place in September within predetermined regions, and those contests rotate among different locations within their regions. Students are tested on plant identification and range management. A state contest which also rotates around the state is held later in the month, and any team or individual may compete at that contest regardless of their placing in the regionals.

Land judging contests are also set up on a regional basis, and the Nemaha NRD and Lower Big Blue NRD take turns hosting every other year. This contest involves evaluating soils and land use. Unlike the range contest, land judging contestants must qualify at their regional contest in order to participate in the state contest.

In even numbered years the Nemaha NRD hosts a day camp, Watershed of Wonders, at one of its public recreation areas for children ages 10-12. The camp originated in 2002 and is held at Kirkmans Cove, Iron Horse Trail Lake, or Duck Creek Recreation Area.

Up to 100 children may be accommodated at the free event that provides hands-on natural resources activities such as archery, fishing, water rockets, and a boat or hayrack ride.

The Nemaha NRD is proud to announce its youth poster contest! Youth in grades K-12 are invited to create original pieces of artwork depicting this year’s Stewardship Week theme, “May the Forest Be With You, Always.” Students may enter the hand drawn poster contest, digital poster contest, or photo contest. Categories for students requiring additional assistance or a braille contest are available. Contest entry forms should accompany all submissions and can be found HERE along with contest details at below.

Winners of the local contest will be entered into the National Association of Conservation Districts’ national competition!

Hand Drawn Poster Rules:

• Contest is open to students entering grades K-12
• Posters should be drawn on 8.5” X 11” or 11” X 17” paper.
• Paint, crayon, colored pencil, charcoal, stickers, paper, and other materials may be used.
• Posters must be created by an individual student and may not be traced from photos or other artists’ work.
• The 2024 theme “MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU, ALWAYS” must be included on the front side of each submission.

Digital Poster Contest

• Contest is open to students entering grades 7-12.
• Posters should be created as 8.5” X 11” or 11” X 17”.
• The 2024 theme “MAY THE FOREST BE WITH YOU, ALWAYS” must be included on the front side of each submission.
• Digital posters must be original work and may not include any copyrighted, trademarked, or branded images or phrases besides the poster theme.
• Posters must be created by individual students.

Photo Contest

• Contest is open to all students entering grades K-12.
• Original photos will be accepted for the following categories:
  • Conservation Practices
  • Close-Up Conservation
  • Conservation in Action
  • Agriculture and Conservation Across America
• Minor enhancements for cropping, red-eye removal, filters, and corrective functions are permitted. However, if a photo appears to be significantly altered it will be disqualified.
• No borders, frames, backgrounds, watermarks, dates, signatures, or copyrights are allowed on photos.

Students requiring additional assistance or those interested in submitting a braille poster should contact Ashley Rippe at the Nemaha NRD at 402-335-3325 for more information.

All submissions are due Friday, August 2, 2024. Entries will be evaluated by the Nemaha NRD Board of Directors at the August 2024 Board Meeting.