Hall of Fame and Conservation Award Winners Recognized for Success

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) Conference at the Younes Conference Center Sept. 25-26, 2023.

The conference brings together NRD employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 24, to raise money for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Panelists at the forum will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, and natural resources projects.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts also will present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 25. Winners include:

• 2023 Tree Planter of the Year: Brian Moes Family – Osmond, Nebraska
• 2023 Community Conservation Award: Bob Hansen – Coleridge, Nebraska
• 2023 Water Conservation Award: Dave Condon – Creighton, Nebraska
• 2023 Soil Stewardship Conservation Award: Daryl Obermeyer – Brownville, Nebraska
• 2023 Grassland Conservation Award: Mark Alberts, Gothenburg, Nebraska
• 2023 Director of the Year: Marcel Kramer, Lewis & Clark NRD – Crofton, Nebraska
• 2023 Educator of the Year: Zeta Greene, Sandhills Public Schools – Dunning, Nebraska

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources youth programs, followed by a dinner banquet. Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelley will give the welcome during the banquet and three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:

• Darwin Anderson, Columbus, Nebraska (2023 NRD Director, Lower Loup NRD)
• Kent O. Miller, North Platte, Nebraska (2023 NRD Employee, Twin Platte NRD)
• Jim Cannia (posthumously), Aqua Geo Frameworks (2023 NRD Supporter)

The annual NRD Conference is presented by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.