McGown and Camp Norwesca Team Receive UNWNRD Conservation Awards

Recognition for outstanding tree planting and forest management work was highlighted during the recent Nebraska Forest Service Forestry Field Day at Chadron State Park. The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District presented two Conservation Awards to locals who've shown exemplary efforts in tree planting and forest management for several decades. Fred McCartney, Forest Fuels Management Specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service nominated Camp Norwesca in Natural Resources Education, Forest Management and Post-fire Rehabilitation / Re-forestation. Thinning with a goal of a healthier forest began at Norwesca in 1992 and has continued with the help of the Nebraska Forest Service and cost share funding. Roughly 1400 seedlings have been replanted into a new mulched area that was burned by the West Ash fire in 2012. 

Mr. Wayne McGown, who owns a small farm near Crow Butte southeast of Crawford was recognized as a recipient of the Charlie Snook Memorial Tree Planting Award. McGown was Nominated by Sonja Buskirk with Trees Are Us in Hemingford, she describes Wayne's attention to detail, "Wayne's work could put any one of us to shame as he cleans out those old tree rows; the limbs, branches, stumps and all, Wayne works all year round accomplishing the task for next year's plantings." Not only does he plant trees each year, but he is extremely dedicated to the care of the trees and refurbishing old tree row shelter belts.

Anyone wishing to nominate an individual or group in Box Butte, Dawes, Sheridan or Northern Sioux counties for a Conservation Award is encouraged to contact the Local Natural Resources District, the Upper Niobrara White NRD at 308.432.6190 for more information or visit www.unwnrd.org.

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO: Camp Norwesca Receives UNWNRD Conservation Award for Forest Management. 
Standing Left to Right: Dr. Scott Josiah, State Forester with Nebraska Forest Service, Nancy Fisher, UNWNRD Board Member, Patrick O'Brien UNWNRD Manager, Tom Lucas, Camp Norwesca Board Representative, Katlin Gosser, Camp Norwesca Director, Linda Rotness Camp Norwesca Board Representative and David Kadlecek, UNWNRD Board Member. 

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO: Wayne McGown Received UNWNRD Charlie Snook Memorial Tree Planting Conservation Award.

Standing Left to Right: Patrick O'Brien UNWNRD Manager, Nancy Fisher, UNWNRD Board Member, Wayne McGown and David Kadlecek, UNWNRD Board Member.