Senior Scholarships

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District has established a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors. There are up to four scholarships available amounting to $500 each for four seniors who are planning to further their education in a natural resources or agriculture related field. To be eligible for a scholarship the student must meet the following criteria:

  • The student must be a graduating high school senior who resides or whose family owns land within the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.

  • The student must have an overall grade point average of a 2.0, or higher, on a 4.0 grading scale at the end of the first semester of his/her senior year in high school.

  • The student must attend an accredited college, community college or vocational school the semester following graduation.

  • The student must direct his/her course study towards curriculum related to natural resources or agriculture.

  • The student must submit an application to the Lower Elkhorn NRD by Friday, April 19, 2024.

Soil & Water Stewardship Week

What is Stewardship Week?

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs dedicated to promoting the conservation of our natural resources. Celebrated annually since 1955 between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, this week-long event serves as a powerful reminder of our personal responsibilities to safeguard our precious natural resources.

2024 Stewardship Week is April 28 - May 5, 2024

In 2024, as we celebrate the 69th Annual Stewardship Week from April 28 to May 5, the theme “May the Forest Be with You, Always” takes center stage. This theme underscores the critical interplay between soil and water conservation and the resilience of our forests. Forests play multifaceted roles in sustaining our planet, serving as sources of oxygen, carbon storage, and vibrant hubs of biodiversity. They function as steadfast protectors of soil and water resources, preventing erosion, purifying contaminants, and nurturing healthy watersheds.

In today’s context, marked by environmental challenges, resilient forests are indispensable in fostering a sustainable world. The phrase “May the Forest Be with You, Always” signifies our commitment to responsible forest stewardship, emphasizing their enduring strength and adaptability.

2024 Stewardship Week Resources

Nebraska Extension is doing virtual field trips: 

Join Nebraska 4-H as we go on-site to learn more about science, agriculture, technology, and more! Virtual Field Trips offer facility tours, educational experiences, and additional resources for teachers. Virtual Field Trips are perfect for youth in 9th-12th grades. Each session will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing. Youth do not need to be 4-H member.

Groundwater Foundation

The Groundwater Foundation is releasing a new series of free online lessons to educate students on the science of groundwater. School closings and shelter in place orders across the country have left millions of children and students at home and in need of more online educational resources. As a response to this need, the Foundation is providing online lessons at no cost to the public.

The online lessons cover a variety of groundwater information, from basic groundwater terminology and concepts to groundwater usage, how it becomes contaminated, and how we can help protect it. The lessons consist of worksheets and videos children can do on their own, plus more involved activities to do with an adult or older sibling.

There are currently two lessons online: 1) groundwater basics and 2) the water cycle, with more lessons added each week. For educators and parents searching for more hands-on activities about groundwater, Awesome Aquifer Kits are also available through the Groundwater Foundation website. Awesome Aquifer Kits are an all-in-one educational kit with everything you need to build your own model aquifer.

Nebraska Forest Service

The Nebraska Forest Service is excited to debut a video feature highlighting the importance of community forestry and sustainable landscapes in Nebraska. The video, entitled "The Community Forest," is located on our new CFSL program page at: https://nfs.unl.edu/community-forestry-and-sustainable-landscapes

We know it can be challenging to focus on spring planting right now, but our hope is this video and web page can be useful tools to help with planning in the weeks and months ahead!

Additional NFS Links 

Water Education Group

During this time it is always a great idea to be thankful to those that are out on the front lines of this event. The Water Education Group has developed Essential Workers Coloring Pages. Please check out their page at https://watereducationgroup.com/essential-workers-coloring-pages/, or visit their home page at https://watereducationgroup.com/. 

Nebraska Impact

In need of a virtual classroom? check out Learning about Nebraska from home at https://neimpact.org/education.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Activities to do with children at home

With schools around the world temporarily closing to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we've assembled this list of (free!) PLT family activities you could share with parents to support student learning at home and in their own backyard. Please check them out at https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/activities-to-do-with-children-at-home 

Groundwater Flow Model Demonstrations

A sand-tank groundwater flow model is available for classroom demonstrations. The model is a useful educational tool for visually describing groundwater and its importance. It simulates an aquifer and demonstrates groundwater quantity and quality issues. Available for loan from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District in Norfolk or on request the Information & Education Specialist may visit your school to demonstrate the groundwater flow model.

Free Comic and Coloring Books Relating to Natural Resources

Available from LENRD:

  • Discover the Waters of Nebraska

  • Every Drop Counts

  • I Love My World

  • Saving Energy & Water

  • The Earth is in Our Hands

 

Programs:

  • Conservation Poster Contest - K-12

  • Outdoor Classroom Grant Program

  • Tree donations to schools or youth groups

  • Teacher Scholarship Program to attend Environmental Education Conferences

  • Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials available to churches and schools throughout our 15-county district

  • Wonderful World of Water - A program for 9th and 10th graders held at Gilman Park & Arboretum in Pierce - September

  • FFA Land Judging and Range Judging Contests

  • Elkhorn H2O Daze - A water festival for 5th graders at Northeast Community College - March

  • Aqua-Fest - A water festival for 5th graders at Wayne State College - May

  • Walk in the Woods - A hands-on learning day for 4th graders, alternates between Norfolk and West Point - September

  • ACE Camp

Teacher Guides/Activities:

  • Project Wild - K-12

  • Aquatic Wild - K-12

  • Project Learning Tree - K-12

  • Project WET - K-12

  • Stop, Look and Learn About Our Natural World - K-12

Learn about the Environment through Outdoor Classrooms

Imagine how convenient it would be for a teacher to take students out to learn about nature and the environment without leaving the schoolyard. And, think of how beneficial it would be for these students to apply concepts and reinforce classroom learning in a setting they have helped to create and maintain.

These educational goals can become a reality through the development of an outdoor classroom. Establishing an outdoor classroom on school property is an excellent educational tool to help create respect and awareness of our environment among students of all ages.

Students benefit when a teacher can open the classroom door and go outside to use the schoolyard as a learning site.

This unique outdoor laboratory can make "hands-on" learning fun and challenging. Most importantly, an outdoor classroom of any size can help students focus on the need to care for our precious natural resources.

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) provides cost-share assistance for schools to establish an outdoor classroom on school grounds. Schools must first have an established plan and administrative approval before applying for assistance.

Several schools in the Norfolk area are interested in the program and have already started the application process. If your school would like to learn more about outdoor classrooms or would like to complete an online application for financial assistance fill out the following form or contact Julie Wragge at the LENRD.