301 North Harrison Street
O'Neill, NE  68763
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Phone:  402-336-3867                Fax:  402-336-1832

Education Programs

     The Upper Elkhorn NRD staff is available to work with students, teachers and the general public in an effort to promote conservation education of our natural resources.  Our educational programs include classroom presentations, civic presentations, grants, scholarships, water festivals and the Nebraska Envirothon. Our goal is to promote public awareness of our natural resources and how to preserve, protect and enhance them for future generations.

Presentations
Camp Scholarships
Senior Scholarships
Water Festivals
Nebraska Envirothon

Upper Elkhorn NRD Poster Contest

	We have two groundwater models which are filled with sand, gravel and clay depicting the aquifer.  These models are used to demonstrate groundwater issues and discuss groundwater contamination.  This presentation works well for all age groups.
	The Upper Elkhorn NRD has access to an Enviroscape model.  This tabletop display illustrates a watershed and how certain activities can effect that watershed.  Issues which can be discussed include soil conservation and best management practices.
	We are also available to develop presentations relating to a certain environmental topics.

Camp Scholarships

      The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District has set aside funding for grants to the Nebraska Range Youth Camp, the Sandhills Academy Camp and Educator Conferences.  Grant Applications are available in pdf format and will require Acrobat Reader.   ( To download free Adobe Acrobat Reader click -here)

The Upper Elkhorn NRD will sponsor two $100 range camp grants per county (Antelope, Holt, Rock and Wheeler).

    However, if there is a county that does not use their grant, they may be used in a county which has a greater demand. 

    (Grant Form)

 

The Upper Elkhorn NRD will sponsor two Sandhills Academy Camp grants in to amount of $125.  (Grant Form)  

 

The Upper Elkhorn NRD has set aside funding in the amount of $200 for Environmental Educators to attend

    environmental conferences. (Grant Form)

     All grants are on a first come first serve basis. Applicants for the grants must reside within the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District and are required to submit a written report to the Board of Directors following the completion of their camp or conference. Grant monies will be paid after the report is submitted to the Upper Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors. 

Senior Scholarships

     The Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District has established a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors. There are three scholarships available in the amount of $500 each for three seniors who are planning to further their education in a field relating to natural resources or agriculture. 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 with in the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District.
	The student must have an overall grade point average of a "C" or 2.0 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 Upper Elkhorn NRD before the annual deadline. Scholarship Application here-(PDF file) (download free Adobe Acrobat Reader here)

Festivals

     The "Wonderful World of Water" program is the only water quality event developed specifically for Nebraska high school students.  It is a "hands on"  learning experience stressing the protection of natural resources ranging from water quality to wildlife.

     The Upper Elkhorn NRD also helps to sponsor Elkhorn H20 Daze and Natural Resources Festival.  These interactive water festivals are designed for students in grades 4-6 to promote their awareness of water quality and other related issues concerning our environment.

The Nebraska Envirothon is a competition designed for high school students to test their knowledge regarding the environment.  Five member teams compete on the regional and state level in six areas of environmental studies:  soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, policy, range and a current environmental issue.  The Nebraska Envirothon competition gives students the chance to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to life.  Students are also given a chance to interact with resource professionals who can discuss the practical applications of what they are learning in school  

The Nebraska Envirothon Study Guide is now available.  You can receive a copy by calling the Upper Elkhorn NRD office at 402-336-3867 or by visiting the State Envirothon Website located at http://www.nrdnet.org.  

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For more information on the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District contact them at bwalsh@uenrd.org or call 402-336-3867.