GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) will host the annual Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Central Community College and College Park in Grand Island. Now in its 37th year, the festival will welcome nearly 900 fifth-grade students from 32 schools across 18 counties. This daylong event features hands-on activities that highlight the importance of groundwater and environmental stewardship in Nebraska.

Hands-On Learning from Experts Across the State
Students will rotate through six interactive, classroom-style sessions led by 38 water and natural resources organizations from across the state. In addition to two stage shows, seven outdoor sessions will be held on campus. Topics include:

• Aquifers & watersheds
• Wildlife, ecosystems & wetlands
• Stream health & water quality
• Stormwater & wastewater
• Agriculture & soil health
• Geological events & windmills
• Hydropower & properties of water
• Water availability, flooding, and more

Volunteers
Students from Grand Island Senior High, Giltner High School, and Barr Middle School will assist as classroom guides and activity aides. The festival depends on more than 100 volunteers to guide school groups, assist presenters, manage registration, and serve in the lunch tent.

Locations & Access
Festival activities span three buildings across the Central Community College and College Park campuses, with detailed schedules and room assignments included in the attached program. Media members are encouraged to attend. Press packets, including campus maps and activity schedules, will be available at both registration desks. To request a specific school or presenter schedule, or for additional information, contact:
Marcia Lee  (308) 385-6282 | lee [at] cpnrd.org
Day-of contacts: Marcia – (308) 380-1220 | Brody – (402) 469-9319

Festival Sponsors
Thanks to generous sponsors, participating schools attend at no cost, and all students, teachers, and volunteers receive a complimentary lunch. The dedication of our volunteers makes the event possible each year.

About the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival
Founded in 1985, the Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival was the first event of its kind. Now in its 40th year, the festival raises awareness about critical groundwater issues such as contamination and water conservation, while fostering environmental stewardship among Nebraska’s youth. CPNRD has coordinated the event for the past 21 years, with only three cancellations due to inclement weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed in a classroom-style format with 25-minute sessions, the festival promotes critical thinking and problem-solving through engaging, hands-on presentations led by environmental educators, water experts, and a performing artist.

International Impact
The success of Nebraska’s Groundwater Festival has inspired similar events in nearly 40 U.S. states and internationally in Mexico, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. Pre- and post-event evaluations consistently demonstrate increases in students’ knowledge, awareness, and behavior regarding groundwater protection.

Schools Attending

1. Ansley – Custer County 
2. Axtell – Kearney County 
3. Burwell – Garfield County 
4. Cambridge Homeschool – Furnas County 
5. Cedar Hollow (2 classes) – Hall County 
6. Centennial (2 classes) – Seward County 
7. Deshler – Thayer County 
8. Dodge (3 classes) – Hall County 
9. Doniphan Trumbull – Hall County 
10. Elba – Howard County 
11. Heartland – York County 
12. Hitchcock – Hitchcock County 
13. Humphrey St. Francis – Platte County 
14. Lawrence – Nelson – Nuckolls County 
15. Nebraska Christian – Merrick County 
16. New Hope – Hall County 
17. Newell (3 classes) – Hall County 
18. Ord (2 classes) – Valley County 
19. Palmer – Merrick County 
20. Red Cloud – Webster County 
21. Riverside – Boone County 
22. Sandy Creek – Clay County 
23. Sargent – Custer County 
24. Seedling Mile – Hall County 
25. Shell Creek (3 classes) – Platte County 
26. Shoemaker (3 classes) – Hall County 
27. St. Anthony – Platte County 
28. St. Edward – Boone County 
29. St. Paul (2 classes) – Howard County 
30. St. Vincent – Seward County 
31. Trinity Lutheran – Hall County 
32. Wheeler Central – Wheeler County