GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska - Five Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) were recently awarded grant funding for the “Partnering to Preserve Central Nebraska’s Core Grasslands” project sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ( https://www.nfwf.org/). The partnering NRDs include Central Platte, Twin Platte, Tri-Basin, Middle Republican and Lower Loup. 

The total grant award through the NFWF grant was $300,000 and it runs through July 2025.  Additional funding for this project in the amount of $149,500 was awarded to the Central Platte NRD (CPNRD) through the Nebraska Environmental Trust. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for local farmers and ranchers to improve their pastures,” says David Carr, CPNRD Range Management Specialist.

Program funding is available through the grant for pasture improvement projects such as cedar cutting and grazing deferment to prepare for a pasture burn. There are also opportunities for cost-share funding for landowners through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  

“The increasing encroachment of unwanted trees into pastures is a concern in our District.  Activities like cutting and burning are necessary to preserve grazing and improve wildlife habitat,” said Carr.  

Landowners interested in having a pasture cleared of cedar trees or are wanting more information about prescribed burning may contact David Carr, Central Platte NRD Range Management Specialist, at (308) 385-6282 or carr [at] cpnrd.org.