The mission of the Nebraska Natural Resource District is to conserve, sustain, and improve our natural resources and environment. They seek to accomplish this through programs on education, flood control, grazing lands, recreation, soil, trees, wildlife, urban conservation and water. Nebraska’s system of local natural resources management is unique because it is based on river basin boundaries.
There are 23 NRDs in Nebraska that are each governed by a board of directors. Each district has different priorities and programs to serve their local needs. Nebraska’s NRD is involved in many different programs to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources. There are 12 programs for which Nebraska is responsible. Erosion Prevention and Control, Soil Conservation and Solid Waste Disposal and Drainage are just a few.
According to Nebraska’s NRD, “Districts often team with other agencies to carry out projects. Technical services and administration for many NRD programs are provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service”.
NRD also has recreation areas for people to appreciate the environment. These areas are open to the public to fish, hunt, bike, and enjoy nature. According to Nebraska’s NRD, these recreation areas are built to serve many needs, “combining recreation with flood control, wildlife habitat enhancement, soil and sediment control and wetland renovation along rivers and streams to protect the future.”
However, there are pros and cons to being involved in public service. Board members of NRD said that pros to being a part of it include the water quantity plans, fishing and camping the lakes, the acquaintances they have met, and the visible benefits they get. But public service also has its downsides. They are the ones to tell people no; especially if they are doing something wrong such as farming in the wrong place. As the messengers, they say no to things that people want.
Public service comes with property tax that nobody wants to pay for. People do not realize that it is money they take but give back. It is also challenging to keep the public educated about NRD, and the actions they take to protect natural resources.
