LINCOLN, Nebraska – Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Conference Sept. 29-30, 2025.

The conference brings together Natural Resources Districts (NRD) employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 28, to raise money for the NARD Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency as well as the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Speakers at the conference will also provide insight into water quality, groundwater management, weed management, grant funding, and natural resources projects.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, NARD will also present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 29. Award winners include:

• 2025 Tree Planter of the Year: Matt & Jill Keating, Atkinson, NE
• 2025 Community Conservation Award: Nebraska Memorial Forest, Statewide
• 2025 Water Conservation Award: Bow Creek Mentor Group, Northeast Nebraska
• 2025 Grassland Conservation Award: Jake Miller (7M Ranch), Culbertson, NE
• 2025 Soil Conservation Award: James “Hank” McGowan, McCool Junction, NE
• 2025 Director of the Year: Mark Seier, Lower Platte North NRD, Newman Grove, NE
• 2025 Educator of the Year: Joel Miller, Hampton Public Schools

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources education programs, followed by a dinner banquet. After the banquet, three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:

• Jim Meismer, Paxton, NE (2025 NRD Director, Twin Platte NRD)
• John Miyoshi, Wahoo, NE (2025 NRD Employee, Lower Platte North NRD)
• Martha “Marty” Link, Lincoln, NE (2025 NRD Supporter, Upper Niobrara White NRD)

The annual NRD Conference is presented by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.

The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at www.nrdnet.org.