News

News

Planting for the Future

Planting for the Future

York and Butler County schools partner with Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District for statewide youth Tree-a-Thon event

During Arbor Day weekend (April 24-26), youth and their communities across the state will participate in the Nebraska Tree-A-Thon to plant and celebrate trees. York Public Schools and Butler County Schools...Read More

Recreation Area Use Limited

Recreation Area Use Limited

Following the lead of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District will limit access to some amenities and activities at its recreation areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The NRD will continue to monitor this public health situation and will plan to reopen full access to the recreation areas as...Read More

Time to get GROWing!

Time to get GROWing!

Growing plots, compost bins, & rain barrels available to York gardeners


York resident Bob Sautter is ready for spring—for warm sun, the smell of fresh turned earth, and the promise of a new growing season. Sautter is a regular at the Project GROW community garden plots and has already reserved his space for the 2020 season...Read More

NRD Office Closed to the Public

NRD Office Closed to the Public

(Original posted March 17; updated March 27, 2020)

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District office (319 East 25th St, York) is currently closed to the public to prevent the spread of illness.

“Our top priority is to protect staff members and the public that we serve,” said NRD General Manager David...Read More

Windbreaks 101

Windbreaks 101

Few investments are as certain to produce a return as planting trees. In today’s instant gratification society, an investment that takes several years to pay dividends isn’t attractive to some. But those who know the enormous value of trees know that the best things come to those who wait.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District...Read More

Teens Tackle Water Quality in Rural Nebraska

Teens Tackle Water Quality in Rural Nebraska

Environmental science students from Centennial High School and their teacher enter the lab of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District carrying three samples of water—two in specimen cups and one in a mason jar. These samples were collected from their families’ homes in or near Friend, Exeter, and Utica in the last 48 hours, from private...Read More

Farming for the Future

Farming for the Future

Nebraska wildlife populations benefit from conservation practices

 
By Chrystal Houston, Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District

It’s a frigid winter morning near Beaver Crossing, Nebraska. Fresh snow has fallen during the night covering the few inches already on the ground. The temp is in the 20s,...Read More

Celebrating Service Excellence

Celebrating Service Excellence

Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District employees, producers receive awards

Four individuals from the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District have received awards in the past week for their service in several areas.

...Read More

Protecting Water, Turning a Profit

Protecting Water, Turning a Profit

Project GROW 2019 reports profit and sustainability

“It was kind of tough.” That simple understatement is how Scott Gonnerman described the 2019 growing season, a cycle impacted by heavy rain and lower than normal temperatures. “We didn’t have a lot of sun or a lot of heat, so it lowered our corn yield. It was not...Read More

​NRDs Sign Agreement with NRCS to Continue Conservation Efforts

​NRDs Sign Agreement with NRCS to Continue Conservation Efforts

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) collectively signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Jan. 28. This agreement is a renewal of a long-standing commitment between the NRDs and NRCS that reaches back to the Dust Bowl days.
 ...Read More

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