Conservation efforts recognized at awards banquet
/The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) board honored outstanding conservationists at their annual awards banquet on Thursday, February 10th, 2022. The event was held at the Stables Event Center in Norfolk.
2021 Outstanding Tree Planter Award – The Brian Moes Family
Jordan, Ashley, Jace, Jolene, Brian, Carissa, Nixon, and Tyler
The Outstanding Tree Planter Award is presented to individuals within the district who have shown a strong commitment to the planting and care of trees. This year’s recipient is the Brian Moes Family of Osmond. Brian, his wife Jolene, their sons Tyler, and Jordan, along with their families have more than demonstrated this commitment.
LENRD Natural Resources Technician, Todd Stewart, presented the award to the family.
Stewart said, “This journey for the Moes family, began in 2006 with the purchase of 100 Colorado Blue Spruce. They have planted almost every year since, planting over 7,000 trees in various locations on their farm.”
Brian and his sons operate a grain and livestock operation northeast of Osmond. They have seen the benefit of trees on their cow herd and have no problem giving up a little farm ground for trees.
Award recipient, Brian Moes, said, “For every tree a person removes, they should replant one. We know the benefits of trees and we need to continue to plant for the future. When people drive down the road and notice a nice shelter belt or tree all they have to do is have a place to plant them and get started.”
Jolene's, father, George Schulte, of Newcastle was very concerned about protecting the land and its development. He passed down his knowledge to his family and future generations. George was a member of the Watershed Project in Dixon County in the 1950s. He also helped with the startup of the Buckskin Hills State Park near Newcastle where Jolene grew up.
Stewart added, “One of the things that separated the Moes family from other tree planters is their understanding that not all trees will survive. Every year they spend time, effort, energy, and money replacing trees. This determination has helped to create success. The passing down of this understanding and determination to Tyler and Jordan is rare and will ensure that trees will get planted on the Moes farm for many years to come. Thank you to the Moes family for protecting our natural resources for the future.”
2021 Educator of the Year – Jonathan Anderson – Norfolk High School
Jonathan Anderson - Norfolk High School Instructor and FFA Advisor
The LENRD partners with schools across their district, encouraging students to become good stewards of our natural resources. This year they recognized a teacher who has demonstrated excellence throughout his career – Jonathan Anderson, Instructor and FFA Advisor, at Norfolk High School.
LENRD Information & Education Specialist, Julie Wragge, said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Jonathan. He has been an educator and advisor at Norfolk High since 2014. He is an enthusiastic FFA Advisor, bringing speakers, hands-on activities, animals, and more into his classroom.”
His students participate in the FFA Land Judging Contest each year, with one team going all the way to Nationals. The chapter also participates in the Regional Envirothon competition, and the Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by the Lower Elkhorn NRD.
Wragge added, “Jonathan’s students have been very instrumental in the planning for the LENRD’s Elkhorn H2O Daze water festival. This festival for 5th graders in Antelope, Madison, Pierce, and Stanton counties provides hands-on learning sessions about water, soil, and wildlife. Again, this year, we will have presenters and assistants for the festival from Jonathan’s classes.”
Jonathan began the Watershed Dynamics program a few years ago. With the help of grant funding and support from the LENRD, Jonathan has been able to expand the group to 4 students, and interest is growing. They test the water on the north fork of the Elkhorn River in 4 different locations.
Jonathan received a National FFA and NPS Foundation Grant to build a water catch to water the school garden.
He is also doing a watershed pen pal group with a school from North Carolina this year.
Jonathan has also worked with UNL in the development of an Invasive Species Education Series. You can check it out online at neinvasives.com
Another interesting project that Jonathan is involved with is recycling and composting. They vermi-compost over 150 pounds of classroom waste every year.
They recycle 250 pounds of paper wastes for classroom animal bedding with the help of the Special Education Department. This saves on expenses and is a very cool partnership.
They also recycled 100 pounds of plant wastes for classroom animal bedding.
They have donated 117 packages of lettuce grown in the classroom this semester to the Norfolk Rescue Mission.
Jonathan also had a National FFA Runner-up with an Agri-Science Fair Project that had students making ethanol from apple juicing wastes. And National FFA top 10 Finalists with an Agri-Science Fair Project that had students measuring CO2 levels in DEF vs non-DEF diesel emissions and a group doing a project on pH levels in Vermi-composting.
Wragge continued, “Whenever I stop by Jonathan’s classroom, he always has a new project in the works and there are always students working. They are not sitting in desks waiting on him. They dig in and get dirty and do the work. It’s always a joy to see the creativity coming out with these kids. They want to learn and they’re having fun doing it!”
Jonathan and his wife, Sarah, have two children Eli and Isabelle and reside in Battle Creek.
He said, “These students are the future. It’s my job to invest my time and energy into preparing them. Partnering with the Lower Elkhorn NRD makes it that much easier.”
Staff and Director Service Awards
Staff and director service awards were also presented during the banquet by Chairman Mark Hall, and General Manager, Mike Sousek.
Dallas Dorey of Wayne – Water Resources Technician – 5 years of service
Patty Martens of Norfolk – Administrative Assistant – 5 years of service
Laurie Schold of Oakland - Logan East Rural Water System Secretary - 15 years of service.
Vickie DeJong of Pierce – Administrative Supervisor – Retired after 42 years of service
Bob Huntley of Norfolk – Dedicated director for 16 years (Retired)
Gary Loftis of Craig – Dedicated director for 30 years