LINCOLN, Nebraska – Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Conference Sept. 23-24, 2024.

The conference brings together Natural Resources Districts (NRD) employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 22, to raise money for the NARD Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Speakers at the conference will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, forestry, and natural resources projects.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, NARD will also present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 23. Award winners include:

2024 Tree Planter of the Year: Michael Nissen Family – Oakdale, Nebraska
2024 Community Conservation Award: Southeast Nebraska Cancer Memorial Garden – Humboldt, Nebraska*
2024 Water Conservation Award: Paul Hay (posthumously) and Randy Pryor – Southeast Nebraska Extension Educators
2024 Grassland Conservation Award: Northeast Nebraska Prescribed Burn Association – Hartington, Nebraska
2024 Soil Stewardship Award: Keith Berns – Bladen, Nebraska
2024 Director of the Year: Judy Ridenour, Upper Loup NRD – Mullen, Nebraska
2024 Educator of the Year: Jessica Evans, Osmond Community Schools

*The Southeast Nebraska Cancer Memorial Garden, led by dedicated volunteers, has become a cherished sanctuary offering hope and a sense of community to those affected by cancer. Established in 2017, the garden rapidly came to life with City Council approval and continues to thrive through countless volunteer hours. It features meaningful landscaping and promotes conservation with native plants, pollinator habitats, and educational elements. The garden's mission to honor cancer survivors, fighters, and those lost to cancer has been beautifully realized, creating a place of solace, healing, and community.

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources education programs, followed by a dinner banquet. After the banquet, three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:

Larry Moore, Ulysses, Nebraska (2024 NRD Director, Upper Big Blue NRD)
Stanley Staab (posthumously), Kearney, Nebraska (2024 NRD Employee, Lower Elkhorn NRD)
Sen. Dan Hughes, Legislative District 44 from 2015-2022 (2024 NRD Supporter, Upper Republican NRD)

The annual NRD Conference is presented by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.

The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at www.nrdnet.org.