Mark Brohman explained to members of Lincoln East Rotary Club about the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The Nebraska Environmental Trust Board consists of three representatives each from Districts 1, 2 and 3 and Agency Directors from the Nebraska Dept. of Environment & Energy, Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska Dept. of Natural Resources, and Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services.
About the Nebraska Environmental Trust:
The Nebraska Environmental Trust was created by the Nebraska Unicameral in 1992 and ratified by a vote of the public. It has competitive grants program open to all Nebraskans for natural resource projects. The Trust has awarded more than $349 million in grant dollars so far.
Mission Statement:
The Nebraska Environmental Trust is established to conserve, enhance and restore the natural environments of Nebraska. A prosperous future requires a sound natural environment. We must act dynamically, progressively and systematically to ensure bountiful and thriving natural resources.
The Trust is to complement existing activities, stimulate private investment and emphasize long term gain. The Trust is to lead in the development of a vision of Nebraska's future environment. The Trust is to collaborate with public and private efforts to achieve that vision.
Our Finances:
The Trust receives 44 ½ % of the proceeds of the Nebraska Lottery (about 18 cents from each $2 Powerball and $2 Megamillion tickets and 9 cents from $1 scratch tickets). About 5% comes toward education, approximately 10% goes to the Nebraska State Fair, and almost 500,000 dollars goes to the gamblers. The Trust operates with expenditures less than 3% of total revenue. There are only five people that is salaried, helps pay rent and they do not do fundraisers. The gives an average of $18 - $24 million in grant assistance annually.
They usually have more demand for grants than The Trust has available each year. They grant funding to 70-80 projects each year and some of these grants or with matching funds.
Projects that The Trust Supports:
Voluntary--no support for regulatory or mandated actions, and Real Property—taxes paid and only willing seller projects.
Projects we support fall into the following categories:
Habitat – conserving and restoring wetlands, prairies and woodlands.
Surface and Ground Water Quality and Quantity – protect surface and groundwater from degradation.
Recycling and Waste Reduction – development of recycling markets and reduction of solid waste volume and toxicity. Any action to keep materials out of landfills.
Air Quality - any action to reduce air pollution. Energy efficiency actions that reduces energy use. Solar panels, electric and compressed natural gas vehicles, green construction, etc.
Soil Management - cover crops and no-till or low-till practices, building up soil viability (micro-organisms, organic material, etc.), prevent erosion and soil loss. Carbon sequestration.
Where are Funds Go:
The Nebraska Environmental Trust Awards are distributed geographically. The amount award from 1994 to 2020 were $350,092.47. Below is how they were distributed.
Some of the projects that the Nebraska Environmental Trust has funded is: Solar panels at Henry Doorly Zoo; Habitat for Humanity Deconstruction; Spring Lake Park near Omaha; Aerial Spraying, Tree Cutting; Prescribed Burning; Nebraska State Arboretum landscaping and Rock & Keya Paha Counties restoring of riparian habitat along the middle segment of the Niobrara River which has been infested with a noxious weed called purple loosestrife.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust covers the whole state and helps make our environment a little more friendly.