Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts are celebrating more than 45 years of protecting lives, protecting property and protecting the future. Here are the top 10 conservation efforts they focus on to create a sustainable state for generations to come.

Nebraska's system of local natural resources management is unique in the United States. Unlike the county-wide districts found in most states, Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts are based on river basin boundaries, enabling them to approach natural resources management on a watershed basis.

There are 23 NRDs in Nebraska. Each district is autonomous, governed by a locally-elected Board of Directors. While NRDs share a common set of responsibilities (see NRD Programs), each district sets its own priorities and develops its own programs to best serve local needs.