Announcements

Announcing the Formation of the Natural Nebraska Coalition and the Common Agenda for 2008

A new day is dawning for conservation, sporting and wildlife groups with the formation of the Natural Nebraska and the 2008 Agenda for Natural Nebraska!

Many Nebraska organizations have contributed over several months to identify the most critical issues facing state resources, and conferred to develop processes to maximize the results of combined effort.  The priority issues of the 2008 Agenda include:

• Renewable Resources for Energy Independence
• Landowner Conservation Incentives
• The Platte River Recovery Program
• Nebraska Healthy Waters Initiative

Endorsed by 10 organizations to date, the Common Agenda for Natural Nebraska sets renewable energy generation as the number one priority of the coalition for this legislative session.  Other priorities include a landowner conservation incentive package, the Platte River Recovery program, and the Nebraska Healthy Waters Initiative.  The Nebraska League of Conservation Voters is coordinating the efforts of the Coalition.

The Natural Nebraska Coalition was formed to focus greater attention on good resources policy in public debate, and to encourage more vigorous
stewardship at the state and local levels of government.  Members of the Coalition include Audubon Nebraska, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of Heron Haven, Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities, Nebraska League of Conservation Voters, Nebraska State Recycling Association, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club--Missouri Valley Group, Wachiska Audubon and The Wildlife Society.

The Coalition will work to support elected officials who make good
legislation a priority, and to inform voters about the performance of their senators and others.  Voter education and engagement will be key to the work of the Coalition.

"Our organizational resources are as precious as the natural resources we work to protect," said Mary Harding, Executive Director of the League. "We know that by coordinating our efforts, we will be stronger and more effective as a community.  If we can simplify the process of becoming well-informed and of making our opinions count in the legislature, we will tap into a common interest that ties Nebraskans together across geographic and political boundaries."

The complete Common Agenda for Natural Nebraska can be found on line on our agenda page.