At Lincoln South Rotary Club on May 5 we heard from Will Inselman from the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District. Parker Robinson from NRD was also on hand.
From the website https://www.lpsnrd.org/:
The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) is comprised of a six county area of southeastern Nebraska, including nearly one million acres and 350,000 residents. LPSNRD is governed by a 21–member, elected Board of Directors.
Our Vision: "Protecting our natural resources for future generations."
Our Mission: "Maintain a sustainable environment through the conservation of land, water and wildlife."
Our Mission: "Maintain a sustainable environment through the conservation of land, water and wildlife."
The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District operates and maintains 200 flood control dams, 13 miles of levees, approximately 12 miles of urban stream channels, 50 miles of trails, 9 wildlife management areas, 11 public wetlands, and monitors ground water quantity and quality.
Each year we also provide over $1M in cost-share assistance to landowners to install best management practices.
Will talked about the importance of partnerships - how they are key to getting anything accomplished. A few of the partners in projects include U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) and the University of Nebraska.
He then focused his presentation on two current projects.
The Prairie Corridor was first introduced when Chris Beutler was Mayor - an idea to connect Pioneers Park to the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. This is a 10-mile corridor with development, not only for trails, but also for properties along the trail. in some cases they have purchased property there are also some
permanent easements. It will be jointly managed with the City of Lincoln.
After the initial meetings to introduce the project, many property owners have now come forward wanting to be a part of the development.
Besides the trail, the development is focused on conservation, habitat development, beauty and more. They have worked with the landowners to develop the property to sustain the wild grasses and flowers.
They are currently managing 720 acres of land. Will talked about controlled burns and how that is one of the best means of managing wild grasses. We saw photos of before/after controlled burns - the beauty of the newly regrown grasses.
The plantings are nature to our area and include 50 species. Future plantings may have as many as 75 species to ensure a wide variety of wild flowers.
Saline Wetlands Conservation Partnership was the other project he introduced. He provided some history of the saline wetlands and how they are being brought back with the efforts of the NRD and partner organizations.
Historically there were about 20,000 acres of saline wetlands. The largest body of the current day saline wetlands is Capital Beach Lake.
At the heart of the work with conservation of the saline wetlands is the endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle. Will talked about the work being done to grow the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle with larvae being grown by the Lincoln Zoo, Omaha Zoo, Topeka Zoo, Game and Parks and UNL. One large area that has been restored is the Marsh Wren Saline Wetland near 27th & Arbor Road. There is a parking area and observation deck offering spectacular viewing.
BIO
Will Inselman is the Resources Coordinator for the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD).
Will Inselman is the Resources Coordinator for the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD).
In this role, Will oversees the district’s wildlife management areas, community wetlands, and conservation corridor properties. The development and management includes aspects of habitat management, grassland management, and upkeep for public access to these spaces. In the different facets of his role, Will works with a wide variety of partners, including the City of Lincoln, Saline Wetland Conservation Partnership, Nebraska Game and Parks, Nebraska Land Trust, among many others.
Will holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Wildlife Science from South Dakota State University and was formerly the head of wildlife research for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission before joining LPSNRD.