Hall of Fame and Conservation Award Winners Recognized for Commitment to Conservation

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Conference Sept. 23-24, 2024.

The conference brings together Natural Resources Districts (NRD) employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 22, to raise money for the NARD Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Speakers at the conference will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, forestry, and natural resources projects.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, NARD will also present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 23. Award winners include:

• 2024 Tree Planter of the Year: Michael Nissen Family – Oakdale, Nebraska
• 2024 Community Conservation Award: Southeast Nebraska Cancer Memorial Garden – Humboldt, Nebraska
• 2024 Water Conservation Award: Paul Hay (posthumously) and Randy Pryor – Southeast Nebraska Extension Educators
• 2024 Grassland Conservation Award: Northeast Nebraska Prescribed Burn Association – Hartington, Nebraska
• 2024 Soil Stewardship Award: Keith Berns – Bladen, Nebraska
• 2024 Director of the Year: Judy Ridenour, Upper Loup NRD – Mullen, Nebraska
• 2024 Educator of the Year: Jessica Evans, Osmond Community Schools

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources education programs, followed by a dinner banquet. After the banquet, three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:

• Larry Moore, Ulysses, Nebraska (2024 NRD Director, Upper Big Blue NRD)
• Stanley Staab (posthumously), Kearney, Nebraska (2024 NRD Employee, Lower Elkhorn NRD)
• Sen. Dan Hughes, Legislative District 44 from 2015-2022 (2024 NRD Supporter, Upper Republican NRD)

The annual NRD Conference is presented by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.