Education
Nebraska's NRDs have a variety of projects and programs to educate both youth and adults about conservation and natural resources. Many district sponsor or participate in natural resources festivals, teacher workshops, classroom presentations, and more.
Districts also help sponsor regional Land Judging Contests, Range District Contests and the Nebraska Envirothon, with coordination from NARD.
Envirothon
The Envirothon is a program for 9th-12th grade students to learn more about our natural environment. Students compete in contests that test their knowledge on a wide array of subjects relating to natural resources and the environment.
NRDs host regional Envirothon contests around the state each spring.
Information, dates, and other resources are available on the Nebraska Envirothon website.
Poster Contest
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts along with Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts provide kindergarten through twelfth grade students with an opportunity to share their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and/or agencies.
Get more information (PDF)
ACE Camp
Nebraska’s NRDs are hosting the first annual Natural Resources Camp titled: Adventure Camp about the Environment (ACE) ACE is open to 6th-8th graders who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the 2009-2010 school year and want to learn more about natural resources and have an adventure at camp. The camp is structured around the six areas of Envirothon. The six areas campers will learn more about are: Aquatics, Forestry, Range and Grassland, Wildlife, Soils and Land, and Policy. Campers will experience a variety of speakers and activities in each of the six areas, and campers will also get a chance to explore possible careers in natural resources. ACE also includes adventure and activities for campers such as a ropes course, climbing wall, bonfire and games. ACE will be held June 20-23, 2010 at the State 4-H Center near Halsey. The cost of the camp is $175.00 per camper and will include meals, lodging and activities.
Deadline for camp registration is May 1, 2010.
For
more information and registration forms please contact Alyssa
Smola at asmola@nrdnet.org or 402-471-7672.
Application for ACE Camp (PDF)
Land Judging
Land Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of soil structure and land evaluation. Land judging enables each participant to learn how to recognize the physical features of the soil, determine land capability for crop production, and evaluate management practices needed for proper stewardship. Soil, land and home-site evaluation provide a setting for students to investigate the soils in their region, the environment that surrounds them and their effect on their daily lives.
NRDs work with area schools to host Land Judging contests all over the state each fall. Regional winners go on to compete at the state contest.
Information, dates, and other resources are available on the Nebraska Land Judging website.
Range Judging
Range Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of Nebraska range land and plants. Land judging enables each participant to learn how to recognize the range plans, evaluation, and need for grazing practices.
NRDs work with area schools to host Range Judging contests all over the state each fall.
Click for more information on the Range Judging hand book.
Click for 2010 Contest Location and Dates