GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – Impacts of climate change and actions that can be taken to address it will be one of the topics featured at Central Platte Natural Resources District’s Water Programs Update to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitors Center near Alda, Nebraska. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Guest speaker Martha Shulski, Nebraska State Climatologist, will present her study of climate data that indicates changes in temperature and precipitation patterns that will directly affect many areas of Nebraska agricultural production by mid-century including a longer growing season.

Don Blankenau, Attorney with Blankenau Wilmoth Jarecke of Lincoln, will explain Nebraska’s drainage law. Other reports will include groundwater and nitrate level readings throughout the District, soil health programs, the fall whooping crane migration and restoration of CPNRD’s crane viewing decks.

The public is encouraged to attend. There is no registration fee and lunch will be provided with an RSVP.

Credits Available

• Attendance replaces the requirement to take Nitrogen Management Certification Test for the NRD’s Groundwater Quality Management Program.
• Continuing Education Credits (4 credits) have been applied for the professional Water Well Contractors License through the Nebraska Health & Human Services.
• NEW! Continuing Education Credits (3 credits) for Soil & Water Management are available for Certified Crop Advisors.

Schedule

• 10:00  Groundwater Quality & Quantity Programs - Luke Zakrzewski, GIS Image Analyst; Jesse Mintken, Assistant Manager; Dan Clement, Water Resources Specialist
• 11:00  Drainage Law - Don Blankenau, Attorney with Blankenau Wilmoth Jarecke
• 11:30  Nebraska Soil Carbon Project - Courtney Widup, Water Resources Technician
• 12:00  Catered lunch (RSVP by Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, for lunch count)
• 12:30  Whooping Cranes and CPNRD’s Crane Viewing Decks - Brandi Flyr, Hydrologist PhD
• 1:00   UNL’s Nitrogen Recommendations - Dean Krull, UNL/CPNRD Demo Projects Coordinator 
• 1:30   2022 Weather and Beyond - Martha Shulski, Nebraska State Climatologist

RSVP for lunch count by Friday, Feb. 4 to 308.385.6282 or email Marcia Lee at lee [at] cpnrd.org. For more information visit cpnrd.org.