Celebrating Soil Health and Water Conservation
Sponsored by the Omaha World-Herald and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Master Conservationist program was established in 1983 to recognize those who have excelled in soil and water conservation and protection. The program includes awards in agriculture, community, and youth categories. Current awards focus on recognition of excellence in water management and conservation. Self nominations are welcome.
Agriculture awards recognize extraordinary achievement in soil health and water conservation by Nebraskans involved in agriculture.
Community awards are presented to individuals or groups who have excelled in taking a holistic approach to wise use of water resources while maintaining and enhancing the environment.
Youth awards are presented to individuals or groups who implement unique ways to sustain water resources while creating new opportunities to improve the environment.
One winner will be selected in each category.
We are now accepting nominations for 2020. Submission deadline is June 1st.
Click here to go to the submission form.
Eligibility
By submitting a nomination, nominees agree to being featured in coverage by The Omaha World-Herald.
Agricultural
- Individual producers, partnerships and family farm or ranch corporations are eligible.
- Nominees must be Nebraska farmers or ranchers who have demonstrated excellent water and/or soil conservation practices for at least a five-year period on farms or ranches which they operate in Nebraska.
Community
- Groups, individuals, agencies or businesses are eligible.
- Nominees must be Nebraska residents who have carried out a water and/or soil conservation program for a minimum of two years.
Youth
- Any individual or group of young people (age 19 or younger) are eligible.
- Nominees must be Nebraska residents who have carried out a water and/or soil conservation program for a minimum of two years.
Guidelines
In the order listed, please provide the following information in making a nomination for the Master Conservationist Award.
We are now accepting nominations for 2020. Click here to go to the submission form.
A. Personal Information
- Nominee’s name, address and phone number.
- Nominator’s name, address and phone number.
- Years the Soil and Water Conservation Practices has been implemented.
B. Conservation Activities
- Describe the conservation plan or program of the individual/community/youth, listing specific water and/or soil conservation practices implemented or promoted, what they are used for and the dates that those practices were implemented.
- Describe any new or innovative techniques implemented or promoted by the nominee. These can be modifications of water and/or soil conservation principles already recognized as effective, or techniques created, designed and implemented by the nominee.
- Describe the benefits of the water and/or soil conservation practices or programs implemented (both new and ongoing) in terms of conservation of water and/or soil resources, including benefits such as pollution abatement, wildlife enhancement or flood control.
- Describe the impact of the water and/or soil conservation efforts or programs on the success or productivity of the farm/ranch business or community. Give any example or returns on conservation investment.
- Explain how the nominee has encouraged others to understand the value of water and/or soil conservation, noting whether it involved the participation of groups from the industry or community (such as civic or school groups).
- Optional:
- Include a list of the conservation organizations the nominee is active in and leadership positions held.
- Graphic designs or photographs of the nominee’s conservation efforts
Selection Criteria
Master Conservationist Agricultural
- Conservation plan implemented on the entire farming or ranching unit.
- Benefits of the conservation practices implemented (both old and on-going) in terms of conservation of soil and/or water resources, including pollution abatement, wildlife enhancement, or flood control.
- Impact of the conservation efforts on the success or productivity of the farm or ranch business.
- New or innovative techniques implemented by the nominee.
- Efforts by the nominee to encourage others to understand the value of conservation, whether it involved participation in groups from industry or community (such as church, civic, or school groups). This would include the conservation organizations in which the nominee is active, and leadership positions.
Master Conservationist Community
- Project Plan implemented.
- Significant net environmental/conservation benefit derived from implemented practices (soil protection/improvement, effective water conservation/management, plantings, wildlife habitat development/enhancement, improved aesthetics, minimized resource inputs for landscape sustainability).
- Holistic impact of the conservation efforts on residence/community.
- New, innovative or modified techniques implemented.
- (Efforts by the nominee to encourage others to understand the value of conservation, whether it involved participation in groups from the community (special interest, civic, school, government, business/industry groups), the conservation organizations in which the nominee is active, and leadership positions. This include the value of the site/project for education and study purposes.
Master Conservationist Youth
- Project Plan implemented.
- Significant net environmental/conservation benefit derived from implemented practices (soil protection/improvement, effective water conservation/management, plantings, wildlife habitat development/enhancement, improved aesthetics, minimized resource inputs for landscape sustainability).
- Holistic impact of the conservation efforts on residence/community.
- New, innovative or modified techniques implemented.
- Efforts by the nominee to encourage others to understand the value of conservation, whether it involved participation in groups from the community (special interest, civic, school, government, business/industry groups), the conservation organizations in which the nominee is active, and leadership positions. This include the value of the site/project for education and study purposes.
Selection Process
Award recipients are selected by a committee of judges representing the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), Natural Resources Districts and the Nebraska office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ).
Nominations that are not selected as one of the three winners will be retained for two additional years of future consideration. Applicants are welcome to update the nomination materials from year to year if needed.
2019 Master Conservationist Award Winners
Agriculture Winner
Dan Gillespie
Youth Winner
Omaha Northwest High School Outdoor Environmental Classroom Project
Community Winner
Spring Lake Park Project Team
Dan Gillespie
Youth Winner
Omaha Northwest High School Outdoor Environmental Classroom Project
Community Winner
Spring Lake Park Project Team
Contact
For questions about nominations, please contact:
Katie Pekarek
Extension Educator - Water Quality
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension Educator - Water Quality
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Phone number -
402-413-1166
E-mail address - Kpekarek2@unl.edu
E-mail address - Kpekarek2@unl.edu
