LINCOLN, Nebraska – In preparation for another legislative session, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts hosts their annual Legislative Conference to highlight partnerships and discuss natural resources policy at the Lincoln Embassy Suites Jan. 23-24, 2024.

The two-day conference brings together Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), elected officials and public-private partners integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The conference also provides attendees an opportunity to learn how Nebraska’s NRDs work with landowners, state and federal agencies, and members of the public to protect Nebraska’s natural resources.

Governor Jim Pillen will kick off the event Tuesday, Jan. 23, followed by a community engagement presentation by JEO Consulting Group, and discussion of proposed legislation of interest to the NRDs. During the evening Senators Reception, NRD leaders will meet with state senators to discuss natural resources challenges and successes in the districts.

The conference continues Wednesday, Jan. 24, with breakout sessions for attendees, including:

• Update on Producer Connect: An Innovative Nitrogen Dashboard
• Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Nitrate Study
• Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Statewide Water Initiatives
• The Role of Customized Software Applications in Groundwater Management
• Data Collection & Utilization for Surface and Groundwater Management
• The Growing Costs of Dam Maintenance and Insurance
• Navigating Nebraska’s Waters: Update from the Water Resources Advisory Panel
• Nebraska Mesonet Update
• Optimizing Nitrate Level Monitoring with Web-based GIS
• Addressing Soil & Water Challenges Through Collective Partnerships
• Conservation Innovation
• The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – Conservation Plus+
• Opportunities of In-Lieu Fee Stream and Wetland Mitigation Programs

More than 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference, which is presented by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors including HDR, JEO Consulting Group, LRE Water, Olsson, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, The Nebraska Water Center, and EA Engineering, Science and Technology. A detailed agenda is available on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts’ website: www.nrdnet.org.