Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts were created by the Nebraska Legislature and began serving the people of the state in 1972. The legislature combined 154 special purpose resources management entities, including county soil and water conservation districts, drainage districts and watershed boards into 24 NRDs. In 1989, this number was reduced to 23 NRDs through a merger of the Papio NRD and the Middle Missouri Tributaries NRD. These districts are unique to Nebraska. No other state has a system for managing its natural resources identical to our NRDs.

NRDs are local government units with broad responsibilities to protect and enhance our state's natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries enabling the NRDs to respond best to local needs.

Elected boards govern districts. Much of the funding for resources management programs and projects come from property taxes amounting to approximately one percent of property taxes collected in the area served by the district.

Partnerships built between NRDs and other resources management agencies - both state and federal - have strengthened the overall conservation effort. Nebraska's Natural Resources Commission, Game and Parks Commission and Departments of Water Resources and Environmental Quality work closely with natural resources districts. Our federal government partners often include the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Services Agency. Others such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service also join NRDs to effectively address local needs.