District Recognized for 12th Year as Groundwater Guardian
North Plains Groundwater Conservation District (NPGCD) was created to conserve, protect and preserve the area’s groundwater. Groundwater is the water the residents of the northern Panhandle drink. It’s the water that grows our food, and the water that nourishes our lives. The district Groundwater Guardian team has implemented activities that help protect the resource and educate others about it. For example, in 2016 the team was instrumental in the district’s agriculture irrigation demonstrations, the first year of the Master Irrigator training program, and the 11th annual children’s water festivals, known as the “Save The Planet’s Water Festivals”.
Groundwater Guardian is a program that encourages and recognizes local groundwater protection and education activities. Groundwater Guardians form teams of local stakeholders that implement activities to address local groundwater concerns and issues. The district’s team members include district board members and staff, along with area educators.
The district is proud to have been designated as a Groundwater Guardian for the last 12 years. Groundwater Guardian is a program of The Groundwater Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska. “Our Groundwater Guardians embody The Groundwater Foundation’s mission to educate people and inspire action to ensure sustainable, clean groundwater for future generations,” says Groundwater Foundation President Jane Griffin. “We’re so grateful for their commitment to groundwater protection.”
The Groundwater Guardian program began in 1994 to recognize the voluntary efforts communities were taking to protect groundwater and to create a network of these communities. “The Groundwater Guardian Program has been positive for the district by adding to the numerous acknowledgements of the efforts the district makes to fulfill its mission of protecting groundwater in the northern Panhandle,” said Kirk Welch, district assistant general manager – outreach. “It’s recognition from a national organization of what we’re doing right, and it provides opportunities for us to network with other Groundwater Guardian communities to get different ideas.”
Communities interested in joining the ranks of Groundwater Guardians are encouraged to get involved in the program by visiting The Groundwater Foundation’s website at www.groundwater.org, e-mailing guardian@groundwater.org, or calling 1-800-858-4844.
For more information about NPGCD’s efforts, please contact Kirk Welch at 806-935-6401 or visit www.northplainsgcd.org.
The Groundwater Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska with a mission to educate people and inspire action to ensure sustainable, clean groundwater for future generations. Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has offered a variety of educational opportunities for youth and adults. To learn more, visit www.groundwater.org.