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Dave Heineman, GovernorBoard of TrusteesDistrict I |
We are about through the summer and most of the State has managed to miss the high 90’s and 100’s and many parts of the State continue to get more rainfall than normal. Let’s hope we all get timely moisture without the frozen stuff or the tornadoes. Just think, the first day of fall is September 22nd and football season is just around the corner. Our third quarter board meeting was held on July 30th and 31st at the beautiful Ponca State Park overlooking the Missouri River. We participated in the dedication ceremony for the “green” cabins that we helped fund. The green cabins are energy-efficient two bedroom cabins constructed with recycled materials. They feature geothermal heating and cooling with straw bale insulation. We also toured a wastewater system project we participated in and land acquisitions we helped facilitate. The forests along the bluffs and the wetlands and prairies along the river were spectacular. If you haven’t made it to Ponca State Park lately, plan a trip and stay overnight in the new “green” cabins, the new four bedroom cabins or even the rustic cabins nestled in the park’s forest. Don’t miss the office and visitor center with an interesting Missouri River display/museum. The round-table to discuss our funding categories at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Kearney on June 26th was a great success. We had over 100 people including 10 of our 14 board members. We sent out a follow-up survey to get additional information and the results were very positive. One of the main themes from the round-table and the survey was that the Trust is doing a good job and “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The Board took those comments to heart and is proposing only a slight modification to the air quality category by adding green house gases under the description and a slight rewording in the water category. There was much discussion about giving noxious weeds more prominence, but it was decided that habitat covers the subject and at times surface and ground water categories would come into play. Noxious weeds have been addressed by the Trust, as evidenced by the large funding commitment provided over the past few years. In the near future the Trust will set a public meeting in each of the three Congressional Districts to receive public comments on the proposed funding categories the board proposes for the next five years. Enjoy the remainder of the summer. Mark A. Brohman
In a continuing effort to support natural resource projects across Nebraska, the board of the Nebraska Environmental Trust will award bonus points to 2010 grant applicants in three of the seven geographical areas across the state. The geographical map of Nebraska showing the seven districts can be seen on the Trust website at: www.environmentaltrust.org . Projects based in District 5 (Southwest) and District 6 (North Central) will be eligible for 20 bonus points and those based in District 2 (Douglas and Sarpy Counties) are eligible for 15 bonus points in the 2010 grant cycle. By law, the Nebraska Environmental Trust is required to ensure a geographic mix of projects over time. Geographic bonus points allow the Trust board to evaluate which areas are in need of Trust grant funds and provide an incentive to increase applications from deficient areas. District 5 has received $11,005,158 in grants from the Nebraska Environmental Trust while District 6 has received $10,727,818 and District 2, $13,065,735 since Trust grants began in 1994.
Applications for 2010 grants are due by Tuesday, September 8, 2009. To apply, download an application form from the Trust web site, www.environmentaltrust.org, or request a printed copy by calling the Trust office at 402-471-5409. Please ensure that: - Hand delivered copies arrive at the Trust Office by close of business at 5:00 pm CST. - E-mailed copies are to be sent before midnight on September 8, 2009 followed by an original hard copy received by theTrust on or before Friday, September 11, 2009. - All mailed copies should be post-marked on or before Tuesday, September 8, 2009. For further questions, please call Lisa Beethe at 402-471-5541 or e-mail: lisa.beethe@nebraska.gov
The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded a total of $18,150 to nine Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants at its board meeting that took place on July 31, 2009. Twelve MiniGrant applications were received for the 2009 – 3rd Quarter PIE MiniGrants requesting a total of $29,200. This is the third round of awards for 2009. The following are some of the projects that were awarded MiniGrants:
The Trust Board and staff were given an opportunity to witness the recent dedication of the Green Cabins at Ponca State Park.
Green Cabin at Ponca State Park The two energy-efficient units are made almost completely out of recycled materials. These cabins will introduce guests to "green" energy concepts and straw bale construction that can be replicated in their own homes and thereby expand environmentally friendly practices as part of their daily routines. They feature geothermal heating and cooling and straw bale insulation. Signs throughout the cabins also offer visitors a chance to learn about the importance of energy efficiency. Partners of the Green Cabin Project include the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Public Power District, AAA Nebraska, the Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
Barb Batie Barb Batie of Lexington was recently elected Chair of the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board at the 3rd Quarter Meeting held in Ponca on July 31. A representative of the State’s third Congressional district, she was reappointed to the Board earlier this year; Ms Batie is currently in her 2nd six-year term. Mark Brohman, Executive Director of the Trust said, “The Trust has certainly gained from Ms. Batie’s knowledge, experience and commitment. We look forward to her term as the new Board Chair.” Commenting on her recent appointment, Ms. Batie said, “I am excited to serve in this capacity. As a native Nebraskan and steward of the land through our family farm, I am committed to leaving the land, water and air with which we have been entrusted in better shape than when we received it. The Trust is well into its second decade of helping all Nebraskans preserve the state’s natural resources for future generations. I am pleased to be a part of this process and know this will be a special year as I work even closer with the Trust staff and grantees.” Barbara Batie and her husband Don operate a family farm north of Lexington. They have two daughters, Juliana and Cicely. Ms Batie 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, Minuteman Fine Arts Association and the HOSTS program.
If you know someone who would like to receive Resource every month, they can add their name to our e-mail list using the form at www.environmentaltrust.org You can also send an e-mail to Sheila Johnson to subscribe. Do you have an event you would like to announce in RESOURCE? Send your event details to Sheila Johnson and we will include it in our next mailing. |
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