September 23, 2026
Annual NARD Conference Focuses on Resource Management, Partnerships
Hall of Fame and Conservation Award Winners Recognized for Commitment to Conservation
LINCOLN, Nebraska – Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Conference Sept. 28-29, 2026.
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. 27, 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 energy demand, regenerative agriculture, dam projects, groundwater management, grant funding, and conservation.
Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, NARD will also present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 28. Award winners include:
- Community Conservation Award: Larry Eisenhauer, Sioux City
- Soil Conservation Award: Doug and Traci Steffen, Crofton
- Water Conservation Award: Shane and Beth Lechtenberg, Butte
- Tree Planter of the Year: Doug and Becky Nordhues, McLean
- Director of the Year: Dean Large, Upper Republican NRD, Wauneta
- Educator of the Year: DJ Mottl, North Bend Central High School
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:
- Marcel Kramer, Crofton (NRD Director, Lewis & Clark NRD)
- Jane Kuhl, Elk Creek (NRD Employee, Nemaha NRD)
- Patrick Cowsert, Wisner (NRD Supporter, Lower Elkhorn NRD)
The annual NARD Conference is presented by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. More than 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.