North Platte NRD

10/13/2026

The West Area Land Judging Contest took place on October 7th, hosted by the North Platte NRD. This high school competition challenges students to evaluate real-world soil conditions and recommend land management practices that promote long-term agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.
Bayard took first place with team members Lukas Manka, Henry Dueker, Wyatt Edmunds, and Isaac Houchin.
Mitchell earned second place with Brenden Keener, Emitt Houk, Lucas Esselstein, and Cash Robbins.
Bridgeport placed third with Braylea Halverson, Anthony Ging, Mak Martin, and Collin Bates.
Congratulations to all the students who participated!

10/01/2026

09/04/2026

Looking to grow your skills and advance your career in tree care? The North Platte NRD is offering up to $2,000 per person to help cover the cost of eligible training, coursework, and arborist certification exams!

Who can apply?
- Current tree care professionals working within the North Platte NRD District
- Employees who are new to the tree care industry and want to build their skills

Funding Details:
- Up to $2,000 per person for eligible training expenses
- Any unused funds may be reallocated above the $2,000 limit after the initial application period
- Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been awarded

This opportunity is made possible through a Community Forestry Infrastructure Grant awarded to the North Platte NRD by Plant Nebraska.

For more information or to apply, contact the North Platte NRD office at 308-632-2749 or stop by:
100547 Airport Rd., Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Ask for Todd or Ken to learn more.

09/01/2026

Our latest North Platte NRD Irrigation Newsletter is now available. This month's newsletter includes:

- Groundwater irrigation well sample cost-share program
- Surface water registration information
- Invasive w**d control funding opportunities
- Important water year sampling and reporting deadlines
- Drought update
- Flow meter reading, maintenance, and winterizing reminders
Spring 2026 nitrate monitoring results

Take a few minutes to review the latest updates and make sure you're prepared for the end of the water year.

Read the September Irrigation Newsletter:

08/26/2026

Think you’re buying the same Roundup you’ve used for years? The active ingredients have changed, and an NRD official says homeowners should check the label. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

08/25/2026

The North Platte NRD is offering a 75% cost-share (up to $5,000 per landowner) to help control and eliminate Salt Cedar and Phragmites, two State Listed Noxious Weeds.

Who qualifies?
Landowners with property located within ½ mile of either side of the North Platte River within the North Platte NRD.

Important: Applications must be approved before any work begins. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been awarded.

This program is funded through the Nebraska Forest Service, with the North Platte NRD administering the applications.

To learn more or sign up, contact the North Platte NRD office at 308-632-2749 or stop by:
100547 Airport Rd.
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Ask for Todd or Ken for assistance.

08/18/2026

We want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for this year’s Water Expo! We were excited to welcome 350 people and hope everyone had a fun, educational experience learning more about the importance of water in our region.

A special thank you goes to all of our wonderful partners, sponsors, and generous donors who helped make the event possible. Your donations, including coupons, gift certificates, products, and other prizes, helped make the Expo even more fun and engaging for our attendees.

08/10/2026

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family for a fun-filled day of learning, community, and celebration at our Annual Water Expo!

Come explore educational exhibits, connect with local organizations, and discover how we can all help protect one of our most valuable resources, water!

Enjoy:
- Educational exhibits and interactive displays
- FREE lunch
- The Snowie Bus serving up delicious shaved ice
- Fresh cotton candy by Amy Westphal
- Bounce House and Water Slide
- Giveaways, family-friendly activities, and more!

Saturday, August 15
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
North Platte NRD

A huge thank you to our amazing community partners for helping make this event possible! Check out the graphic below to see all of the organizations participating in this year's Water Expo!

Admission is FREE, so invite your family, friends, and neighbors for a day of fun, food, and learning. Whether you're interested in learning more about our water resources or just looking for a great community event, there's something for everyone!

We can't wait to see you there!

08/06/2026

The North Platte Natural Resources District has extended its Irrigation Well Water Sample Cost-Share Program through the end of the 2026 Water Year.

Through September 30, 2026, landowners and operators can submit irrigation well water samples to the NPNRD office for $10 per sample.

Samples may be collected from the irrigation well or the final point of distribution. Producers submitting samples directly to a laboratory must ensure results are submitted to NPNRD by December 31, 2026.

For more information or questions about sampling procedures, call the NPNRD office at (308) 632-2749 and ask for Lynn, Keelie, or Craig.