The Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District held its 8th Grade Conservation Day on October 16, 2025, at the Butte Golf Course.
The NRD welcomed students from Niobrara, Verdigre, Boyd County, Stuart, and Burke, South Dakota — a total of 92 students, 9 teachers, and 15 presenters/helpers.
Students were divided into four groups and rotated through four hands- on activities: Kerplunk Nitrates, Biodiversity Jenga, Water Jeopardy, and Turtles of Nebraska. Everyone came together for a special session with State Senator Barry dekay (Legislative District 40) and State Senator Tanya Storer (Legislative District 43), who spoke about their work as state senators and their role in Nebraska government.
For lunch, students brought sack lunches and enjoyed the opportunity to visit and connect with peers from other schools. In the afternoon, all students participated in the final three sessions of the day : Soil Sponge, Trees 101, and Native Plants of Nebraska.
8th Grade Conservation Day would not be possible without the support of many partners, including the Lower Loup NRD, UNL Extension, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Forest Service, Bow Creek Watershed, Lewis & Clark NRD, and the staff of the Lower Niobrara NRD.