CONTACT:

Sheila Johnson
Public Information Officer, Nebraska Environmental Trust
Phone: (402) 471-5409
Fax: (402) 471-8233
sheila.johnson@nebraska.gov

Media Advisory: Barbara Batie Appointed to Nebraska Environmental Trust Board Chair

Lincoln, NE –August 11, 2009– Barb Batie of Lexington was recently named Board 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 district, she was recently reappointed to the Board earlier this year; Ms Batie is currently in her 2nd six year term.

Mark Brohman, Executive Director for the Trust said, “The Trust has certainly gained from Ms. Batie’s knowledge, experience and commitment. We certainly 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.

The Trust Board is comprised of 14 members representing the State of Nebraska and its citizens. Nine citizen representatives are appointed by the Governor to serve six year terms. Three representatives are chosen from each congressional district, serve without pay and represent a wide variety of natural resource interests. Five agency directors make up the remaining seats on the board to provide coordination with existing state resources. A staff of five handles the day-to-day activities of the organization.

The Nebraska Legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992.  Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided grants in excess of $142 million to over 1,034 projects across the state.  Anyone – citizens, organizations, communities, farmers and businesses – can apply for projects involving habitat, surface and ground water, waste management, air quality and soil management in Nebraska.  The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect and restore our natural resources for future generations.

For more information, you may contact Ms Sheila Johnson at 402- 471-1714.

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