FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/21/25Contact: Jennifer Stauss Storyjstauss@papionrd.org402-960-5329 OMAHA, Neb. – Applications for the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District’s (Papio NRD) Celebrate Trees Grant Program are open. The program provides funding for tree planting on public land for community benefit. Parks, cemeteries, tribal lands, libraries, and villages within the District’s six-county service area are encouraged to […]
“We are building a safer and more active community.” – Papio NRD Chairperson Tim McCormick The Papio NRD and the City of Gretna celebrated the grand opening of Forest City Recreation Area, Sarpy County’s latest flood reduction reservoir and recreation area. Forest City Recreation Area, located in Gretna near 204th and Schram Road, is a […]
Flood Reduction Reservoir Provides Safety and Recreational Opportunities for Sarpy County Residents FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/6/25Contact: Jennifer Stauss Storyjstauss@papionrd.org402-960-5329 OMAHA, Neb. – The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) and the City of Gretna today celebrated the grand opening of Forest City Recreation Area, Sarpy County’s latest flood reduction reservoir and recreation area in the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/29/25Contact: Jennifer Stauss Storyjstauss@papionrd.org402-960-5329 OMAHA, Neb. – The Papio NRD will close all river access parks to the Elkhorn and Platte rivers for the season on October 31st. The access parks include:• Elkhorn Crossing (intersection of 252nd & Bennington Road)• West Maple Road Access Park (West Maple Road northeast of Waterloo)• Graske […]
The MoPac Trail near Springfield, from Buffalo Road to Riha Road, will close on Wednesday, October 22, through Monday, November 3. The Papio NRD is working with OPPD to begin construction of a transmission line upgrade along the east edge of the MoPac Trail south of Springfield. Safety is a priority. Construction includes installing new […]
Today we shine the spotlight on Charles Stanley, our 319 Papillion Creek Watershed Coordinator, who works with landowners on conservation efforts and water quality improvements. Where did you grow up?Rural northeast Nebraska by Dixon, NE. What does your job entail (job duties and how does your work impact the public)?Promoting cost share programs to landowners […]
Safely and responsibly disposing of household hazardous waste products isn’t always an easy or convenient task. That’s why we encourage residents of Washington, Burt, Cuming, Dodge, Thurston, and Dakota counties to take advantage of the free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collections on Friday, October 10th and Saturday, October 11th. Collection Dates and TimesThe collections will […]
New Trailhead Provides Recreation Opportunities, New Playground, and Active Transportation The Papio NRD and City of Omaha yesterday held a ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration for the grand opening of a new Beltline Trail connection that will expand the trail’s reach in North Omaha. The new trailhead, located at the intersection of Hamilton St. and Military […]
Addresses Unprecedented Storm Damage Costs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/19/25Contact: Jennifer Stauss Storyjstauss@papionrd.org402-960-5329 OMAHA, Neb. – At its September 11th meeting, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) Board of Directors voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2026 general operating budget that includes necessary funding for critical storm damage repair. “In 2024, our levee system was tested by three 100-year storms […]
Papio NRD representatives joined the City of Omaha, local dignitaries, philanthropists, and community organizations in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the “Baby Bob” pedestrian bridge. The North Downtown Riverfront Pedestrian Bridge, affectionately known as “Baby Bob,” is an extension of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (“Bob”) that provides easy access to downtown Omaha. Before “Baby Bob,” […]
Westview High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of its new arboretum, a space for students to use as an outdoor classroom and the public to enjoy the greenery. Westview applied for a Papio NRD cost share program that provided funding for a trail that guides students through the ecosystem of the arboretum, […]
Today we shine the spotlight on Kaden Kneifl, a field representative in our Dakota City Field Office. Where did you grow up? I’m originally from Hartington for the first 10 years of my life, but then my family moved to Wayne where I graduated from high school. What does your job entail (job duties and […]
Today we shine the spotlight on Joe Riebe, our Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist (say what?). Where did you grow up?Grafton, WI What does your job entail (job duties and how does your work impact the public)?I create maps and apps for use by Papio NRD employees and the public, and I manage spatial data […]
Those who use Pioneer Park in Fort Calhoun now get to enjoy some extra greenery. The City of Fort Calhoun held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the planting of 10 new trees in the park. The city applied for partial funding of the trees through the Papio NRD’s Celebrate Trees Grant Program. The Celebrate Trees […]
The Papio NRD Board of Directors has named four of its upcoming flood reduction reservoirs and recreation areas that will be located in the Omaha metro. The projects will feature no-wake lakes (reservoirs) and recreation amenities, including trails, kayak/canoe launches, fishing access, and picnic areas. The names include: Marlin Petermann Recreation Area – under construction […]
Today we shine the spotlight on Lori Laster, our stormwater management engineer. She plays a crucial role in helping our communities, individuals, and businesses reduce the risk of flood damages. Where did you grow up?We moved a lot when I was a kid, but mostly a small town called Winnemucca, Nevada. It’s about two days’ […]
The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors welcomed three new members and three returning incumbents at last night’s board meeting. New Directors include: Subdistrict 1: Rodney Storm, former City Manager of BlairSubdistrict 7: Brian Adams, senior leader at OPPDSubdistrict 9: Anne Hubbard, Omaha physician Re-elected Directors include: Subdistrict 3: Larry Bradley, Vice-ChairpersonSubdistrict 5: […]
Several crabapple trees recently found a new home and the crew that planted them in the heat and among blood-thirsty mosquitoes was anything but crabby. Michael Westover, Superintendent I of Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun, says the trees were “heaven-sent.” “We’ve been taking out more trees than we’ve been able to replace […]
Unused water wells left unsecure are a hazard to water quality, people, livestock, and pets. The Papio NRD is aiming to help educate landowners within its six-county service area of the importance of abandoning unused wells, as well the cost-share program it provides to help with the associated expense. Wells that aren’t properly abandoned provide […]