Nebraska Environmental Trust “Preserving Natural Nebraska For Future Generations” About the Nebraska Environmental Trust • Created by the Nebraska Unicameral in 1992 and ratified by a vote of the public • Competitive grants program open to all Nebraskans for natural resource projects • The Trust has awarded more than $260 million in grant dollars Trust Board Nine citizen board members appointed by the Governor for a six year term and five agency Directors Our Finances • Receives 44 ½ % of the proceeds of the Nebraska Lottery (about 18 cents from each $2 Powerball, and 9 cents from $1 MegaMillion and scratch ticket sold) • Operates with expenditures less than 3% of total revenue • Average of $18 - $24 million in grant assistance annually Grant Demand Outstrips Availability Projects We Support • Voluntary--no support for regulatory or mandated actions • Real Property—taxes paid and only willing seller projects • Projects we support fall into the following categories: – Wildlife Habitat – Surface and Ground Water Quality and Quantity – Recycling and Waste Reduction – Air Quality – Soil Health Grant Awards by Category 1994 - 2016 Matching Funds $200 M $100 M Trust Funds Matching Funds Mandatory Rating Factors Project Examples Aerial Spraying Results of Spraying Tree Removal Tree Cutting ROCK & KEYA PAHA COUNTIES North Central Nebraska Resources Conservation & Development Council - Purple Loosestrife Bio-control for the Middle Niobrara River Corridor The goal is to restore riparian habitat along the middle segment of the Niobrara River that has become choked over the years with purple loosestrife, an invasive noxious weed. The Trust has funded several Prescribed Burn projects. The grants have been instrumental in enabling purchase of fire fighting equipment including hand tools, communications equipment and truck mounted with firefighting equipment as well as conducting workshops. Mobile Prescribed Burn Unit Lake Helen - Completed Metropolitan Community College Ponca State Park Spring Lake Park - Omaha Hazardous Waste Collection Platte River Habitat Restoration Rainwater Basin – Wetland Restoration Ducks Unlimited – Darr Strip Habitat Complex The Crane Trust The Ferguson House Office of the Trust .