Chadron, NE - The largest of the local Natural Resources District's education programs, the Northwest Nebraska Conservation Festival for 5th grade students, will take place in Chadron at St. Patrick's Parish Center Tuesday, May 6. The UNWNRD expects approximately 260 students will participate and has made this celebration of conservation education possible for 11 consecutive years with the help of natural resources partners such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

NRDs are unique to Nebraska and were created by the Nebraska Legislature by consolidating county conservation districts. Since 1972, the UNWNRD has been assisting people in Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan and Northern Sioux counties with practices to prevent or control erosion and pollution; programs to encourage soil, water and wildlife conservation; and guidelines for development or management of water supply, forest and range resources for beneficial use for all generations. Each of us has a connection to natural resources whether it is through the water we drink, the soil which produces the food we eat or the landscape we enjoy. During the Conservation Festival and upcoming water and soil health education events, UNWNRD and several partners will promote practices to improve the longevity of the natural resources that help define Northwest Nebraska as a great place to live.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 59th year of Stewardship week April 27 - May 4, 2014. The 2014 Stewardship Week is themed, "DIG DEEPER: Mysteries in the soil". "Soil is an essential natural resource that all of us depend on each and every day," says NACD President Earl Garber. "The Dust Bowl of the 1930's showed our nation the importance of conservation practices. Farmers and ranchers who have experienced recent droughts know that conservation practices are critical in helping their soil endure, even in the most challenging weather events. Your natural resources district is working with local landowners to assist in a variety of projects and outreach to improve soil health both now and in the long-term."

To find out more about the soil types in your community, visit http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov. You can also download an app for your smart devices called "soilweb" developed by the California Soil Resource lab in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The Upper Niobrara White NRD is a member of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) and NACD which oversees the Stewardship Week program. Stewardship Week is one of the largest national annual programs to promote conservation. For more information about Stewardship Week and local conservation education, contact Sheri Daniels at 308.432.6190 or visit www.nacdnet.org/education.