News

News

​Departing NRD Board Members to Be Celebrated for Long Service

​Departing NRD Board Members to Be Celebrated for Long Service

Three longtime members of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District will be celebrated next month for their collective 83 years of service to the people of the district. Douglas Bruns, Gary Eberle, and Merlin Volkmer will each conclude their service in December after decades of board membership.

“We appreciate the leadership...Read More

​State Land Judging Competition Challenges Youth in McCool Junction

​State Land Judging Competition Challenges Youth in McCool Junction

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Students and instructors from 32 Nebraska FFA chapters met in McCool Junction to compete in State Land Judging Oct. 28. The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to host the annual competition.

To accommodate the health and safety...Read More

Investing in Soil Health

Investing in Soil Health

Producer Partnerships Sought, Funds Available Soon

Are you a producer who is interested in adding conservation activities such as cover crops, but have been deterred by the costs involved in changing your operation? Good news! There will soon be funds available for soil health improvement practices in the district, thanks to...Read More

Project GROW 2020 Workshop Registration Now Open

Project GROW 2020 Workshop Registration Now Open

Update: This is now a hybrid event. We plan to have a limited number of people attend in person at the Holthus Convention Center, and others will access the content via Zoom. Please indicate when you register if you will be in-person or online.

What drives soil health? What...Read More

Local Recreation Areas Offer Fall Family Fun

Local Recreation Areas Offer Fall Family Fun

Did you know that the Upper Big Blue NRD manages five public recreation areas? These parks are free to use* and open to the public year-round. With fall’s mellow temperatures and beautiful foliage, there’s no better time to visit. Whether it’s an early morning meditation with a fishing rod, or a fun family picnic and boating, there’s something...Read More

Recharge Lake, local gem for wildlife enthusiasts, has a long history

Recharge Lake, local gem for wildlife enthusiasts, has a long history

Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area in York features a 44-surface-acre lake where locals can go RV and tent camping, boating, fishing, hiking, birding and more. But what’s the story with the man whose name is on the rec area, and why is the lake better known simply as Recharge?

The rec area was created and is managed by the Upper Big...Read More

​“The Heart and Soul of Our Community”

​“The Heart and Soul of Our Community”

NRD Partners with Beaver Crossing on Improvements to Historic Park

When a massive tornado tore through Beaver Crossing on Mother’s Day 2014, it destroyed or damaged virtually every home and business in the small community, ripped trees out by the roots, and left farm buildings lying in heaps of twisted metal. Powerlines...Read More

​2019 Hastings Vadose Zone Nitrate Study (Summary)

​2019 Hastings Vadose Zone Nitrate Study (Summary)

By Dr. Dan Snow, research professor with the Nebraska Water Center

Key Takeaways
  • Nitrate concentrations beneath irrigated cropland increased by about 30% between 2011 and 2016 indicating that nitrogen fertilizer continues to be lost below the root zone
  • The largest amount of
    • ...Read More

​Groundwater Quality Sampling Schedule

​Groundwater Quality Sampling Schedule

By Erinn Wilkins

The Upper Big Blue NRD is divided into 12 groundwater quality Management Zones. The median nitrate value for that zone determines the phase of management and therefore, rules and regulations.
 
Taking a step back, the median nitrate value for a zone is the product of water samples collected...Read More

Conservation and Recreation

Conservation and Recreation

NRD Private Dams Program offers landowners assistance for improvements


The water in the pond on Dwaine Kubicek’s farmland in Milligan is low, having been drained recently for improvements to the dam structure. Still, it is the prettiest spot in the area on this warm day in early fall. Bullfrogs are hopping, crickets are...Read More

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