260 FIFTH GRADERS LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION AT NORTHWEST NEBRASKA FESTIVAL

Scott Snell (seated at right), public relations specialist with the Upper Big Blue NRD, visits with 5th grade students on Tuesday during the 11th annual Conservation Festival about Conservation Practices and Natural Resources Districts While explaining an educational interactive game he designed called “Operation: Conservation” — Scott Snell (seated at right), public relations specialist with the Upper Big Blue NRD, visits with 5th grade students on Tuesday during the 11th annual Conservation Festival about Conservation Practices and Natural Resources Districts while explaining an educational interactive game he designed called “Operation: Conservation”

On Tuesday, May 8th, The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District (UNWNRD), along with a dozen partners, hosted the 11th Annual Northwest Nebraska Conservation Festival at the Assumption Arena in Chadron. A day full of environmental education was well-attended by approximately 260 area students from 7 schools, including Alliance, Hay Springs, Rushville, Gordon, Crawford, St. Agnes Academy and Chadron.

Natural resources education is the focus of the Northwest Nebraska Conservation Festival and aligns well with the work of numerous natural resource entities who participate in the event each year.

During the Festival, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) hosted a GPS Hunt and a soil education activity called Soil Detectives. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality used a watershed model called an ‘Enviroscape’ to enlighten students about different pollution sources that can impact a watershed. Youth learned about tree planting with the Nebraska Forest Service and City of Chadron. Panhandle Research Integration for Discovery Education taught youth about noxious weed control. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory utilized a game called “Food for the Brood” and the Upper Big Blue NRD partnered with the Upper Niobrara White NRD to guide students through an interactive game which Scott Snell designed, called “Operation: Conservation”.

The UNWNRD educated students about ground water and its connection to lakes, streams and rivers, while Cameco and City of Chadron assisted with a fun-filled station where students enjoyed launching water rockets. Smokey Bear and Woodsie Owl made a guest appearance to promote the messages of wildfire and pollution prevention thanks to the U.S. Forest Service.

In an effort to educate our youth about environmental issues and promote stewardship for our surroundings, the UNWNRD hosts the Northwest Nebraska Conservation Festival each spring. The event is open to fifth-grade students throughout the District. At the end of the event, each student was given a Colorado Blue Spruce seedling and prizes from participating agencies.

For more information about the education programs available with UNWNRD, please visit unwnrd.org, or call 308-432-6190.