The Nebraska Association of Resources District's Foundation was established as a way to support students with a desire to enter the field of natural resources. Your contribution to the NARD Foundation will help provide scholarships, intern­ships and support for high school students to continue their education in natural resources. The NARD Foundation puts funds raised towards our youth as they develop an interest in a variety of natural resources programs. Your donation can be directed to one of these areas or any combina­tion.

The NARD Foundation supports programs where people of all ages can learn more about natural resources. Funds are raised through a variety of activities including the a 5K Fun Run, the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf Tournament, and a silent auction at the NARD Annual Conference each September.

Download the NARD Foundation Brochure.

Donate Now!

Contributions to the NARD Foundation are tax deductible. If you would like to make a donation to the NARD Foundation,  mail a check payable to the NARD Foundation or donate online here. 

NARD Foundation
8100 S. 15th St., Suite B
Lincoln, NE 68512

Annually, funds are dispersed by the NARD Foundation for the following programs:

Nebraska Envirothon

An agriculture, wildlife and science competition for school grades 9-12.

"Thank you for all the time and energy that is put into organizing, planning and running the Nebraska Envirothon Program. It is such a valuable program that provides important educational opportunities to us that we would not otherwise have. The experiences are invaluable and help prepare us for the future." -Omaha Concordia High School Envirothon Team

Adventure Camp about the Environment (ACE)

The camp is open to sixth and seventh grade students who learn about natural resources.

“I really enjoyed this camp because there were kids like me. The other students were nature lovers like me and I felt like I could be myself around them and the adults. Being outside with other kids and adults that have the same interests as me and learning more about nature is something extraordinary and I will never forget it. I felt accepted by people and not worried about being seen as weird for loving the outdoors, fish, snakes, turtles, being dirty, and bugs. I was myself!” - Roxy Hoagland of Doniphan, Nebraska (June 2025)

Nebraska LEAD (Leadership, Education, Action and Development) Program

This is a two-year fellowship that provides young adults with skills and experiences needed to become leaders and advocates for agriculture.

Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute

A week-long conference held each July for juniors and seniors in high school to learn more about agriculture and natural resources issues.

Nebraska FFA Natural Resources Educational Contests

NARD Foundation sponsored three awards and sponsored the Annual State FFA Convention held in Lincoln in early April. The awards were Outdoor-Recreation Proficiency, Natural Resources Chapter Award, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Management Career Development Event (CDE).

"Thank you for sponsoring the Natural Resources Speaking Contest at State FFA. I have competed at the state level in this contest for two years and want to share my gratitude for making it possible. Natural Resources are one of our nations bountiful gifts and should be utilized and protected at all costs. I spoke about the implementation of ladybugs into fields in the U.S." -Grace Alder, Stuart FFA

"Dear NARD Foundation, Thank you so much for your sponsorship of the Outdoor Recreation Proficiency area. The money I received will go toward tuition expenses in college where I will be double-majoring in biology and spanish. FFA has been an all around amazing experience for me and I thank you for all your support!" -Brianne Haskell, Lyons-Decatur Northeast FFA

Ag in the Classroom

Ag in the Classroom is a national program that spreads a positive agriculture message to teachers, students and parents about the importance of agriculture and learning about our natural resources. The program promotes agriculture in the classroom and agriculture literacy by providing curriculum and activities for teachers.

Raising Nebraska Exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair

The 25,000 sq. ft. exhibit provides hands-on experiences for all ages to learn more about agriculture and natural resources in Nebraska. Twenty-two districts each contributed $1,000 to help fund a $25,000 contribution to the exhibit.