Nebraska Environmental Trust700 S 16th Street
PO Box 94913
Lincoln, NE 68509-4913
info@environmentaltrust.org
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Nebraska Environmental TrustAt a meeting in Lincoln on April 2, the board of the Nebraska Environmental Trust announced that 82 projects will receive $15,065,944 in lottery proceeds for natural resource work in Nebraska. This is the 16th year of grants from the Trust, which has provided over $142 million dollars in lottery revenue to preserve and protect the air, water and land of our state. Some of the projects receiving funding include:
A complete listing of all approved 2009 grants can be found on the Nebraska Environmental Trust web site at www.environmentaltrust.org.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded a total of $5,500 to three Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants at its board meeting that took place on April 2, 2009. Four MiniGrant applications were received for the 2009 – 2nd Quarter PIE MiniGrants requesting a total of $9,744. This is the second round of awards for 2009.
The following projects were awarded MiniGrants:
The PIE grants are limited to $2,500 and are awarded quarterly. They were created as a MiniGrant program for public information and education projects. They support the presentation and dissemination of information and perspectives that stimulate enhanced environmental stewardship in any category eligible for Trust funding. This grant program seeks to expand dialogue on important current conservation topics and to provide information on emerging or highly useful conservation methods.
For a listing of the final PIE MiniGrants, visit: www.environmentaltrust.orgThe MiniGrants program will be taken over by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences but no due dates have been established as of yet. The Trust has one more cycle of these grants to administrate, of which the due date will be May, 22, 2009. Stay tuned to the Trust for more information on the MiniGrants.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust is pleased to announce that Rod Christen from Steinauer has been named to the board by Governor Dave Heineman. Mr. Christen will replace Robert Ravenscroft from Lincoln who is retiring from the board on March 10, 2009.
The Trust board is made up of five agency directors and nine citizens appointed by the Governor, three from each of the three congressional districts. Appointments are for a six year term.
Rod and his wife Amy have two daughters, Dana and Leah and one son, Evan. They operate a cow-calf operation with Rod’s sister Kay and their parents, Richard and Sharon. The Christens were the recipients of the 2007 Leopold Conservation Award and the 2008 Nebraska Land Stewardship Award presented by the Partnership for All Bird Conservation as a result of their wildlife friendly practices and land stewardship.
On their ranch they use pasture rotation, cross fencing and multiple water sources as management and conservation tools to increase their productivity and income. They take advantage of state and federal programs like Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and Landowner Incentive Program (LIP). Rod noted, "As a land steward and livestock producer, I'm excited and honored to serve on a board that has so much impact on conservation."
The Trust was established in 1992 and has funded more than $127 million to 1,135 projects across the state. Rod said, "I've seen and heard of a number of very positive conservation projects that have been made possible from the funding of the Nebraska Environmental Trust."
Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust said, “We are excited to have Rod join us and bring his innovative ideas and rural experience to the board.” Rod stated, "As a member of the Trust board, I will work hard to promote and represent practical land management and conservation to maintain and improve Nebraska's natural resources."
The Nebraska Environmental Trust is pleased to announce that Robert Krohn from Omaha and Barbara Batie from Lexington have been reappointed to the board by Governor Dave Heineman.
Governor Mike Johanns appointed Robert Krohn, a civil engineer, to serve the 1st District and Barbara Batie to serve the 3rd District in 2003. Krohn has headed Omaha companies since 1976 and is currently the Vice President-Business Development for PSI Group, Inc. He is serving on a number of boards including Streck Laboratories, University of NE Foundation, the Nature Conservancy and Crane Meadows Nature Center.
Barbara Batie and her husband Don operate a family farm north of Lexington. She has been a reporter, columnist, correspondent and writer for a number of publications and continues to be a freelance writer. Batie is very active in many organizations and volunteer pursuits including Farm Bureau, Nebraska Press Women, Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Water Users, Trinity Lutheran Church, 4-H leader and the HOSTS program.
Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust said, “The Trust is very fortunate to retain two knowledgeable and experienced board members. Bob and Barb bring many skills and assets to the board and we are very pleased to have them continue serving."
Robert Krohn
Barb Batie
The Crane Meadows Nature Center Board has announced the hiring of Brad Mellema as its new Executive Director. Brad began his duties effective April 1, 2009 and brings a broad background of experience to the position.
Most recently Brad was Director of Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary. Prior to that he worked for the University of Nebraska as Director of the State 4-H Camp near Halsey. “We want to provide a place for people to come and learn about Nebraska’s natural heritage, in particular the Platte River Valley,” said Mellema. He currently lives with his family in Axtell.
Crane Meadows has entered into several partnerships that will allow them to operate as a nature and visitor center on a year-round basis. They were awarded a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust that will provide a base-funding source for a period of three years. Other major partners include the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Hastings College, and the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. Along with numerous private supporters, Crane Meadows Nature Center will work to provide a place from which people of all ages can connect to nature.
The temporary visitor center operated by the Grand Island Visitors Bureau at the site closed April 15th. “We are excited to open the doors as a year-round facility early this summer,” Mellema said. “Stay tuned for several other announcements regarding the center in the next few months, including new branding and a name change.” He also stated, “A lot of people have worked hard over the years to build a great facility on I-80. Board members Cal Johnson and Ted Schroeder have picked up the ball and worked tirelessly to help set this organization up for success.” The partnerships and business model will make for a vibrant nature and visitor center.
The 2008 Nebraska Environmental Trust Annual Report is expected to be out for distribution in the next coming weeks. This year's theme is "Sharing The Resource", which will highlight some of projects that are truly exemplary of the idea of sharing; the sharing of ideas, the sharing of information, the sharing of responsibility, the sharing of experience and education.
The Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank all grantees and partnership organizations that have contributed in one way or another through photographs, articles and other resources that have helped in the production of the Annual Report
If you have a news story to feature on this page, contact Sheila Johnson , Public Information Officer, at (402) 471-5409.