wildlife habitat Archives

Tree & Shrub Seedlings Available to Order

Great for Windbreaks, Wildlife Habit, and Living Snow Fences

The Papio NRD is accepting orders for tree and shrub seedlings.

Through the Conservation Tree Program, homeowners, acreage owners, producers, and operators can purchase bare-root seedlings for $30/bundle plus tax. There are 25 seedlings of the same species per bundle. Multiple species are available. There are also two “variety” bundles available to order which include five different species in a bundle of 20 seedlings for $30 plus tax.

Papio NRD crews planting tree seedlings.

The seedlings are ideal for windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and living snow fences designed to reduce blowing and drifting snow. Many tree/shrub projects are eligible for Papio NRD cost share which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Orders will be accepted through February 21st, 2025.

For more information, or to receive an order form with the species list, please contact one of our Field Office representatives in your county:

Washington, Douglas & Sarpy counties: Kalani Fortina at 402-426-4782 ext. 3
Burt County: Deb Ward at 402-374-1920 ext. 3
Thurston County: Tamara Tipton at 402-846-5655
Dakota County: Mahkenna Koinzan at 402-494-4949

Bye Bye Becic. Happy Retirement!

After 38 years working in the NRD system, Jim Becic, environmental coordinator extraordinaire, is retiring and looking forward to restoring and spending more time in his own habitat.

Jim worked for five years at the Middle Missouri River Tributaries NRD and then moved to Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District when the two NRDs merged. To say he accomplished a lot is an understatement.

So, what made Jim stay at the Papio NRD all these years?

Jim: There is really no other public entity that currently acquires and/or restores habitat as a priority. Being a biologist, working as a part of the NRD system is a unique opportunity. While at this NRD, we’ve acquired and/or restored thousands of acres of habitat to include over a dozen project sites in our six county reach.

Quite a few projects stand out as his favorites.

Jim: The Boyer Chute in Southern Washington County along the Missouri River with the resulting creation of a National Wildlife Refuge. The initial acquisition of about 2,000 acres with an additional 650 acres with Nathan’s Lake and the adjacent Stratbucker site and other tracts subsequently acquired by the Fish and Wildlife Service has increase the refuge size to well over 4,000 acres and growing. AND the people working at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Corps of Engineers, the Nebraska Environmental Trust and certainly the NRD were all excellent partners.

What’s he looking forward to in retirement?

Jim: Not setting the alarm…or getting on the interstate on the way to or from work. (Bike trips, cooking, more leisurely property maintenance, death.)

Yes, he said “death.” We will certainly miss Jim’s crazy sense of humor! Most importantly, Jim we thank you, our environment thanks you, and our wildlife thank you for literally making our six-county world a much, much better place. Enjoy your retirement. It is beyond well-deserved!

Tree Seedlings Available for Order

Winter is the perfect time to plan for windbreaks or wildlife habitat planting. The Papio NRD is accepting orders for tree/shrub seedlings now through February 25th. Through the Papio NRD tree program, landowners can purchase bare-root seedlings for $24/bundle before tax. There are 25 seedlings of the same species per bundle. Multiple species are available this year.

Papio NRD staff are available to assist with tree planting plans and planting services. For more information or to receive an order form, contact Kalani Fortina at (402) 426-4782 ext. 101.