News

The Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET) is a new online ArcGIS application that can be used to look at current or past woody plant canopy cover in encroached landscapes. Users can select a specific area and the application will provide a summary of canopy cover information. The percent canopy cover is defined based on the […]

Want to learn more about wetlands and how they can fit into your farming operation? Pheasants Forever is hosting a wetland workshop where you can learn more about the wetland restoration process, rotational systems, tree management, and plant identification.  Participants can attend all or part of the program. Lunch will be provided for those who […]

Partnerships play a key role in the management and conservation of wetlands within the Rainwater Basin (RWB).  The numerous partnerships held by the different conservation organizations across the state help to better manage resources, time, money, and habitat. Nebraska Ducks Unlimited (DU) recently presented the 2022 Nebraska Wetland Partnership Award to David Eigenberg.  Ducks Unlimited […]

A Livestock Watering Solution on the L&L Johnson WRP Lavern Johnson enrolled his property with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) in 2005.  A wetland restoration was completed at that time.  Lavern understood that grazing could be an effective tool to maintain and enhance the wetland.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) […]

Teal View Wetland Education Area invites visitors to explore a disappearing ecosystem Just a few miles north of the tiny town of Hampton, Nebraska, you’ll find the region’s newest public access wetland, Teal View Wetland Education Area. The 39-acre tract of farmland was restored to its natural state of wetland in 2020-2021 by Ducks Unlimited […]

The name Playa (“ply-ah”) originates from the Spanish word for beach.  In Nebraska, playas are shallow depressions that cycle through wet and dry periods. In the past, these were referred to by producers as buffalo wallows, mud puddles, or wasteland.  The Rainwater Basin Wetland Complex is a unique cluster of these wetlands.  Here in Nebraska, […]

Did you know that cattle out number people 4:1 in Nebraska?  The livestock industry powers Nebraska’s agriculture economy with $6.5 billion in cattle sales annually.  Thousands of family ranches manage the vibrant grasslands found throughout Nebraska.  These operations recognize that without management of their grassland their ranches will not remain profitable.  This has helped instill […]

Sign-up for the Migratory Birds, Butterflies and Pollinators Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) State Acres for Wildlife (SAFE) is now open!  CRP SAFE is a voluntary program that provides private landowners a market-based financial incentive for restoring playa wetlands.  The restored playa wetlands will improve water quality, recharge the Ogallala Aquifer and provide habitat for migrating […]

Sacramento/Wilcox Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was the first Rainwater Basin wetland purchased by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.  The first tract was acquired in 1940 with subsequent acquisitions completed through 1960s.  Like with most Rainwater Basin Wetlands this wetland had a significant number of modifications because of drainage activities and road construction.  Most of these […]

Hall County producers Ryan Happold and Nick Happold farm adjacent tracts of land that contain a portion of a large Rainwater Basin Wetland.  In the 1960s their father had excavated a large concentration to drain the site and promote better cropping conditions.  Even with the three-acre concentration pit the fields would often pond water over […]