The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors appointed Gale Holmes of York to fill the vacant Subdistrict 8 position during their July board meeting.  The position was previously held by Matthew Perry, who resigned after an address change placed him outside of the Subdistrict 8 boundary, which he had represented since 2023.

Holmes grew up on a farm near Minden, Nebraska and entered the Air Force upon graduating from high school.  He was in Aircraft Maintenance and served for 28 years in different locations around the world while working on several types of aircraft.  He and his family moved back to York after he retired from the Air Force in December 2009.  He then worked at the Pioneer Seed Production Facility and retired from there in 2024.  He is currently a substitute teacher at York Middle School and York High School.

As a member of the NRD Board, Holmes wants to work with the community to make sure natural resources are used in a way that will allow future generations to benefit from them as well.  When asked what he wished more people understood about the NRD, he responded, "I would like more people to understand the programs the Upper Big Blue NRD has that will help improve our natural resources.  I encourage people to come to the board meetings if they have issues or just want to learn about available programs and what the Upper Big Blue NRD is working to improve."

About the Upper Big Blue NRD

More than 56,000 citizens rely on the NRD to provide direction and assistance in the wise use, conservation, and development of our soil, water, and related natural resources. The Upper Big Blue NRD includes all of York County and portions of Adams, Butler, Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton, Polk, Saline, and Seward counties. The NRD is divided into eight subdistricts (see map), each with two elected representatives.  There is also one “at-large” position for a total of 17 board members.  Board members are required to live within the boundary of the subdistrict they represent; at-large members may live anywhere within the district.

The Board of Directors guides the NRD's mission by overseeing policies related to a variety of natural resource management programs and services, including groundwater regulation, soil and water conservation, flood prevention and control, forestry, wildlife habitat, and parks and recreation.  Monthly board and committee meetings are open to the public and the schedule is available on the NRD website: www.upperbigblue.org/events.