August 2007

In This Issue

1. Trust Receives Award from Platte River Basin Environments
2. Feature Story - Improvements at Swan Creek Reservoir 5A in Southeast Nebraska
3. Upcoming Events
4. The Ferguson Center: The Perfect Place for Your Next Event
   

Trust Receives Award from Platte River Basin Environments

Hod Kosman, President of Platte River Basin Environments with Trust President, Gloria Erickson, Mark Brohman, Executive Director and Lisa Beethe, Grants Administrator.

The Nebraska Environmental Trust was recently honored with the "2007 Partners in Conservation Award" by Hod Kosman, President of the Platte River Basin Environments at an Appreciation Dinner held in Scottsblufff last month.

"Platte River Basin Environments and all of our Western Nebraska partners and sister conservation organization can envision no finer partner than the Nebraska Environmental Trust - you have encouraged - facilitated and empowered us to go farther and realize our dreams we never thought possible. You have allowed us to catch the imagination of a vast region. We have partners, volunteers and contributors from all walks of life - they care about our WILD RESOURCES and balancing those resources with the progress and prosperity that our communities all seek" said Hod. He added, " We believe that what we do is forever and forever is a a long, long time."

Accepting the award were Gloria Erickson, Chairperson of the Nebraska Environmental Trust, Mark Brohman, the Executive Director and Lisa Beethe, the Grants Administrator who were at the event.

This is the 14th year of grants from the Trust, which has provided over $112million dollars in lottery revenue to preserve and protect the air, water and land of our state. This year alone, a total of 67 projects were approved by the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board. The project will receive $ 11,818,742.00 in lottery proceeds from natural resource work in Nebraska.

Improvemnets at Swan Creek Reservoir 5A in Southeast Nebraska

A grass-roots effort near Tobias in Saline County, has made a large difference for Swan Creek Reservoir 5A. Community leaders, local landowners, and many agencies have collaborated to promote and implement conservation practices to improve water quality, benefit agriculture, maintain diversity of use at Swan Creek Reservoir 5A, and increase wildlife habitat. Preliminary results are surpassing expected outcomes.

Just six years after being opened for recreation (1994), Swan Creek Reservoir 5A was placed on the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s 303d list of impaired waters (2000). The listing was the result of excessive sediment loading and elevated concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and atrazine. Traditional practices in agricultural areas such as terracing, conversion to no-till, as well as nutrient and pesticide management were implemented or expanded. The producers in Swan Lake 5A’s watershed, went above and beyond traditional practices with further land treatments to include six pond rehabilitations, septic system upgrades, well-decommissioning, and grade stabilization structures. Additionally, the Lower Big Blue NRD recently completed sediment basin construction on inflows to prevent further sedimentation. These extra activities would not have been possible without support from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
           
The Nebraska Environmental Trust, Lower Big Blue NRD, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Saline County Cooperative Extension, U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture provided funding, time and technical support. These agencies worked closely with local landowners to develop a Watershed Management Plan that would help to balance environmental and economic concerns.
           
Preliminary results indicate an annual reduction of sediment loading of about 69%, phosphorus loading is 58% lower, and nitrogen inputs have been decreased by just over 61%. Initial objectives were to reduce sediment and phosphorus loading by 50% and nitrogen to be lessened by 30%. Results of atrazine loading have not been assessed, as the project is not yet complete. Efforts made at Swan Creek Reservoir 5A can be a model for watershed improvement in other watersheds across the state.
             

Photos of the Swan Creek Project (Above)

2006 Grant Cycle

Applications for the 2006 grant cycle are now available for download from the Trust web site, www.environmentaltrust.org, or by request to the Trust office. The updated forms outline the new submission requirements that have been initiated as the Trust switches to an electronic review process for grant proposals. Only one copy of a paper or electronic submission will be required.
If you have any questions about the Trust application process, please contact Lisa Beethe at 402-471-5541.

Upcoming Events

September 4, 2007
2008 Application Deadline for General & Recognition Grants
* You can download application forms from our website: www.environmentaltrust.org or request a copy by calling the office at 402-471 5409. Be sure to review the new requirements for real estate transactions (acquisitions and easements).

September 11-13, 2007
Husker Harvest Days 2007 (west of Grand Island)

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.

The Ferguson Center

The Perfect Place for Your Next Event

The historic Ferguson Center is the perfect place for your next meeting or event. Managed by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the Ferguson Center offers conference-center amenities in a historic setting in downtown Lincoln. Contact Tina Harris at 402-471-5417 to begin planning your event at the Ferguson Center.

Spread the Word

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.