Lower Elkhorn NRD announces winners of 2024 Conservation Poster Contest

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“May the Forest Be With You Always” was the theme for this year’s National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Stewardship Week and Poster Contest sponsored by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD).

This Stewardship Week 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.

The LENRD received posters from over 100 K-12th grade students from across the Lower Elkhorn NRD’s 15-counties in northeast Nebraska.

The following winners will receive special recognition from the Lower Elkhorn NRD:

Grades K-1     

1) Charlotte Rardon                                        Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

2) Brynlee Brune                                              St. Wenceslaus, Dodge

3) Rhett Shaver                                                 Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

3) Tanner McGregor                                       Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

Grades 2-3

1) Elise Ekberg                                                   Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

2) Frankie D’Agosta                                         St. Mary’s Elementary, Wayne

3) Anna Rardon                                                 Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

Grades 4-6

1) Connor Pojar                                                 St. Wenceslaus, Dodge

2) Henry Diekemper                                       St. Wenceslaus, Dodge

3) Rachel Kutcha                                               Wayne Elementary School, Wayne

Grades 7-9

1) Colton Hoesing                                            Wausa

2) Chase Moore                                                Norfolk Public Schools

3) Easton Jones                                                 Norfolk Public Schools

3) Karson Lingenfelter                                   Norfolk Public Schools

Grades 10-12

1) Kai Vuchetich                                                               Norfolk High School

2) Connor Cleveland                                       Norfolk High School

3) Elliott Hansen                                               Norfolk High School

The first-place posters in each category were sent on to the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) in Lincoln for the State Competition.

The NARD recently announced that the Lower Elkhorn NRD has three winners at the State level this year. Students winning in the State competition include:

  • Grades K-1:  Charlotte Rardon, Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

  • Grades 2-3:  Elise Ekberg, Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk

  • Grades 4-6:  Connor Pojar, St. Wenceslaus, Dodge

These students will receive special recognition from the NARD in Lincoln. The winning posters from the State competition will be sent on to Salt Lake City, Utah for the National competition in February.

The 2025 stewardship theme is “Home is Where the Habitat is”. For more information on the poster contest, contact Liz Lienemann, at llienemann@lenrd.org or 402-371-7313.