Education
Educational Events
Conservation Festival
Each year the UWNRD hosts an educational day for fifth grade students in the district. The festival is typically planned for the first Tuesday in May . Students have the opportunity to visit different presenters who set up hands-on stations to teach about conservation.
Ace Camp
ACE CAMP Adventure Camp About the Environment hosted by Nebraska’s NRDs. The camp is hosted at Camp Kaleo in Burwell, NE in June of each year. ACE registration is open to students who have completed 6th and 7th grade and want to learn about natural resources at an adventure camp. Registration is $235 per student and includes meals, lodging and activities. During the camp the students will learn about water, wildlife, forestry, outdoor survival, range weather and soils.
Camp dates are June 22-24, 2025
UNWNRD offers scholarships for student who attend the camp. Funds are available after attending the camp and show proof of attendence NRD staff. Please contact staff at UNWNRD for more information.
Range Judging
Approximately 60% of the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District is rangeland. Range Judging competitions are engaging events that enhance the participants knowledge of rangeland plants, and management methods.
Co-sponsorship of the Range Judging contest rotates between the three panhandle NRDs. The State Range Judging committee oversees all range judging in the state, This committee also selects host counties for the event, and sets the rules and regulations. They meet annually and also the evening before the competition.
Land Judging
Land Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of soil structure and land evaluation. Land judging enables each participant to learn how to recognize the physical features of the soil, determine land capability for crop production, and evaluate management practices needed for proper stewardship. Soil, land and home-site evaluation provide a setting for students to investigate the soils in their region, the environment that surrounds them and their effect on their daily lives.
NRDs work with area schools to host Land Judging contests all over the state each fall. Regional winners go on to compete at the state contest.
2024 Land Judging Competition Dates and Locations
NE West Area Land Results Individual
Poster Contest
The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts along with Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts provide kindergarten through 12-grade students with an opportunity to share their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues. Theme for the 2024 poster contest is “May the Forest Be With You, Always”. Call the NRD office for educational resources. All entries at the local level contest must be submitted with this contest entry form placed on the back of each poster.
Posters must be turned into the Upper Niobrara – White NRD Office by November 1, 2024!!
Stewardship Week
The National Association of Conservation Districts Stewardship Week, an annual program since 1955, stands as one of the nation’s largest initiatives dedicated to promoting the conservation of natural resources. Occurring between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, this week-long event serves as a powerful reminder of our personal responsibilities to safeguard our precious natural resources.
2025 Stewardship Week: “Home is Where the Habitat is.” This theme highlights the essential role of both natural and managed habitats in our conservation efforts.
Join us from April 27th to May 4th, 2025, in recognizing the importance of these habitats year-round, as we work together to ensure their health and resilience for future generations. Let’s continue our efforts to make a lasting impact on both natural and managed environments.
Envirothon
What is the Nebraska Envirothon
Download: Envirothon Newsletter 2024
The Nebraska Envirothon isc For the state competition, an oral presentation is added to the testing on a current issue. The topic is selected by the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon Committee.
Why take the time to organize and coach a team for this competition?
A growing number of jobs are being created that involve Nebraska’s natural resources. This is an opportunity to give students hands-on experience working with the environment and exposure to a variety of careers working in and around the environment.
What makes the Envirothon different from other extra-curricular activities students already participate in?
The Nebraska Envirothon competition gives students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in the classroom & apply it to real-life situations. Students are given the chance to interact with resource professionals who currently work in environmental fields and show students the link between academics and the business world.
Make a Positive Impact on your Environment & Community
No positions currently open.
(308) 432-6190
(308) 432-6187
430 East Second Street
Chadron, Nebraska 69337
For specific contact information related to UNWNRD Board and Staff, please see the ‘About Us’ page.
To learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs, please see the ‘Links’ page.