Annual NRD Conference Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Pandemic and NARD Office Fire Top of Mind

In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 31, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts' (NARD) offices, located at the Universal-Inland Insurance building (601 S. 12th St.), were burned when violence erupted after protests in downtown Lincoln.

Several office buildings along Lincoln Mall from the Capitol to the Hall of Justice were defaced with graffiti and smashed windows with damages estimated at $10 million. The lower level  of the Universal-Inland Insurance building, where the fire was started, was ravaged by flames. The NARD offices on the second floor primarily had smoke and heat damage, but were a 90% loss.

Due to ongoing safety challenges with COVID-19, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Executive Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the annual conference scheduled for Sept. 28-29. This includes the trade shows, NARD Foundation events, breakout sessions and awards ceremonies.
 
Our primary concern is the health and safety of conference participants and the local communities. The NARD Executive Committee, in consultation with event center staff and local health experts concluded that it is neither safe nor practical to move forward with the conference this year. 
 
Traditionally, the annual conference brings together more than 350 representatives from Nebraska’s 23 NRDs and our partners to discuss natural resources policy, engage with industry experts, and participate in NARD Foundation events. 

NARD Foundation events at last year’s annual conference raised nearly $21,000. While the pandemic is limiting our ability to hold  fundraising events this year, the programs the Foundation supports continue. The Foundation has and will continue to build partnerships and engage young Nebraskans to learn more about natural resources.

The NARD Board and Nebraska’s NRDs remain committed to supporting the Foundation. While we are not requesting sponsorships for Foundation events this year, the Foundation is  actively accepting donations and respectfully requests you consider a donation in lieu of this year’s annual conference events.

In addition to contributing to the next generation of Nebraskans, all donations made to the NARD Foundation will be recognized on the NARD website. The NARD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization – additional details on the NARD website.

Please make checks payable to the NARD Foundation or donate online.
NARD Foundation
PO Box 81706
Lincoln, NE 68501-1706