GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska - Applications are being accepted for the CPNRD-Ron Bishop College Scholarship Program from the Central Platte Natural Resources District.

Applicants must be a college junior, college senior, or 5th+ year student seeking a natural resources degree. Five (5) scholarships will be awarded at $1,000 per student for the 2020-2021 academic year. Applicants or their parent(s) must reside within Central Platte NRD boundaries, which reach from Gothenburg to Columbus along the Platte River.  Return applicants and recipients are eligible to apply. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2020.

Central Platte NRD’s college scholarship program was implemented in 2007 and has provided $110,00 to 120 students. In 2014, the scholarship name was changed to the CPNRD-Ron Bishop College Scholarship to honor former manager, Ron Bishop, who managed Central Platte NRD from 1972-2013.

Some of the careers that qualify:

• Agriculture: Business Representative, Engineer, Inspector, Agronomist, Applied Science/Diversified
• Biologist
• Engineer: Civil, Mechanical, Chemical
• Conservationist, Resources Management
• Natural Resources/Environmental Educator
• Geographic Information Systems Specialist
• Geology Engineering
• Grazing Livestock System
• Hydrologist, Hydrogeologist
• Mechanized Systems/Soil and Water Conservation
• Rangeland Management
• Soil Conservationist/ Soil Engineer
• Vocational/Agriculture Educator
• Water Resources Specialist
• Other related careers

Applications are available on the CPNRD website or by contacting Marcia Lee at 308.385.6282 or lee [at] cpnrd.org.

Central Platte NRD is one of 23 separate Natural Resources Districts created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1972 to protect the state's natural resources. The CPNRD strives to protect groundwater and surface water, reduce flood threats, conserve soil health, create and protect wildlife habitat, and educate children and adults to use natural resources wisely.