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Dave Heineman, GovernorBoard of TrusteesDistrict I |
The 2009 Preliminary Rank Order List is now available. All of the grant applicants have been waiting patiently to see if their projects would receive funds in 2009. The preliminary list was released at the first quarter board meeting February 5, 2009. The grants will not be finalized until the second quarter board meeting on April 2, 2009. This year we received applications requesting twice the funding compared to a year ago. The requests this year were over $52 million compared to $26 million a year ago. We are very pleased to welcome Rod Christen from Steinauer to the Board. Rod is replacing Rob Ravenscroft of Lincoln who is retiring from the board. Rob has served the board well and we hate to see him leave. We are also happy to have Barbara Batie from Lexington and Robert Krohn from Omaha reappointed to additional six year terms. Barb and Bob have been valuable board members. The Legislature is well underway with 679 bills introduced this session, which is fewer than past sessions. There are many bills pertaining to natural resources, recycling and energy, especially wind energy. The Trust is always mindful of the policy being set across the street. Our goal is to work with the Legislature in fulfilling our mission to conserve, enhance and restore the natural environment of Nebraska. Mother Nature has begun to tease us Nebraskans with a few unseasonably warm days, but we all know winter is far from over at this point. Deep down I think Nebraskans are programmed to anticipate the changing seasons and even celebrate their passing, if not, we’d probably all move to Florida or Arizona. Wishing everyone a successful 2009! Mark Brohman
At its meeting in Lincoln on February 5, 2009, the board of the Nebraska Environmental Trust recommended the funding of 81 projects for a total of $14,575,944 in grant awards. The Trust received a total 125 of applications requesting over $52 million compared to $26 million a year ago. This is the 16th year of grants from the Trust, which has provided over $127 million dollars in lottery revenue to preserve and protect the air, water and land of our state. As part of the grant making process, the Trust is seeking public input on the proposed grants before announcing final awards on April 2, 2009. A list of all recommended grants and project information is available on the Trust website at: www.environmentaltrust.org or by contacting the Trust office. Written public comments will be accepted until April 1, 2009 at the Nebraska Environmental Trust, P.O. Box 94913, Lincoln NE 68509-4913 or via email at: lisa.beethe@nebraska.gov . Please include your name, address and organizations (if applicable) and be sure to reference the project name and number in your correspondence. Comments can also be presented in person during a public hearing on April 2, 2009.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded a total of $13,921 to seven Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants at its board meeting that took place on February 5, 2009. Fourteen MiniGrant applications were received for the 2009 – 1st Quarter PIE MiniGrants requesting a total of $34,469. This is the first round of awards for 2009. The following projects were awarded Minigrants:
(Article and Photo submitted by Fontenelle Nature Association) Initiated in 1994, H2Omaha: Missouri River Science Education Initiative is a collaborative education program developed jointly by Fontenelle Nature Association and the Omaha Public Schools science specialist. The program creates a “living laboratory” from the Missouri River and its surrounding floodplain within Fontenelle Forest. Content is based on State Science Standards and meets the curriculum requirements of the Omaha Public Schools. Trust funds were provided for expenses related to the delivery of the program. Through a three-and-half hour, two part course, students gain comprehensive understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the human impact on water quality. The course begins with a theatrical presentation illustrating the basic concepts of the life cycle, water cycle and watersheds. In the second part of the course, each student is involved in the actual collection and identification of macro invertebrates at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center’s teaching pond. Then, using their 'bugs' as living pollution indicators, the students determine the health of the wetland’s water.
The program was designed with four main components: teacher training workshops; a teacher resource manual; an auditorium-style introduction to the Missouri River ecosystem; and student field study programs presented at Fontenelle Forest's Great Marsh. The goal of this program is to provide all OPS fifth graders, approximately 3,500 annually, with the opportunity to attend this natural science program at no cost. Since its inception, this program has served nearly 50,000 students and nearly 300 teachers. Rod Christen appointed to Environmental Trust BoardThe 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 Christen Family - Rod, Amy and daughters Dana and Leah Two Current Members Reappointed to Environmental Trust BoardThe 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 Nebraska 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."
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