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The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District covers about 1,600 square miles in Southeast Nebraska, including most of Lancaster and Cass counties and parts of Otoe, Seward, Butler and Saunders counties.

Its 21-member board of directors guides the district's involvement in conservation-related areas including water quality and quantity, soil erosion, wildlife habitat, wetland protection, flood control, recreational lakes and trails and environmental education.

Board members are elected on a nonpartisan ballot to serve four-year terms. One board member is elected at large; the others represent subdistricts. Each subdistrict has two seats on the board, with one seat up for election every two years.

While 11 of the seats on the ballot in November are uncontested, there are three that have two candidates vying to serve on the board.

In Subdistrict 1, incumbent Gary Hellerich of Valparaiso is being challenged by Jim Schultz of Lincoln.

In Subdistrict 5, Greg Osborn and Stacie Sinclair, both of Lincoln, hope to replace Bruce Johnson, who is not running for reelection.

There are two new candidates for a four-year term in Subdistrict 3, where Vern Barrett is not seeking reelection: Melissa Baker and Annette Thompson, both of Lincoln. Kenneth Vogel, the other Subdistrict 3 board member, who was appointed in 2020, has filed to complete the final two years. He is the only candidate.

Uncontested candidates are Mark Spangler of Murray (Subdistrict 2), Larry Ruth of Walton (Subdistrict 4), Deborah Eagan (Subdistrict 6), Luke Peterson of Lincoln (Subdistrict 7), Tom Green of Lincoln (Subdistrict 8), Robert Anderson of Lincoln (Subdistrict 9), Susan Seacrest of Lincoln (Subdistrict 10) and David Landis of Lincoln (at-large). All uncontested candidates are incumbents.

Editor's note: Subdistrict 1 candidate Jim Schultz did not respond for the Voter's Guide.

Age: 78

Address: 2854 County Road A, Valparaiso

Occupation: Agriculture producer

Political party: Republican

Website: None

What experience in public office, civic/professional organizations or other areas helps qualify you as a candidate for this office?

* Lower Platte South NRD board of directors, six years

* Oak Creek Township Board, 15 years

* Lancaster County Farm Bureau member, 22 years

* American and Nebraska Soybean Association Board of Directors, 12 years

What do you feel are the top three natural resource issues in the Lower Platte South NRD?

1. Provide drinking water to people within the boundaries of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.

2. Provide for protection from excess water runoff during severe rain/snow melting events.

3. Provide for protection of our greatest God-given resource, our soil.

Should the Lower Platte South NRD continue to work with landowners to protect unique resources, such as native prairies and wetlands, by entering into perpetual conservation easements?

The Lower Platte South NRD should continue to use perpetual conservation easement where necessary for soil and water management within our district.

Extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought are becoming more common. What can the Lower Platte South NRD do to help the district be more resilient to extreme weather events?

We need to encourage landowners to implement conservation practices through education and observation forums. This should include the latest information on the use of cover crops.

Age: 68

´¡»å»å°ù±ð²õ²õ:Ìý4926 Greenwood St.

Occupation: Retired

Political party:Ìý¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç³¦°ù²¹³Ù

Website:Ìý±·´Ç²Ô±ð

What do you feel are the top three natural resource issues in the Lower Platte South NRD?

* Water scarcity. Increased usage and drought will require deeper drilling to reach the aquifer and/or a new source. Conserving and protecting water supply is critical for future sustainability.

* Community connections. We are stronger when we come together to work toward common goals. Solutions require listening and harnessing the perspectives and disciplines of all our stakeholders.

* Impacts of growth. Additional impervious surfaces has impacted pollutant levels in stormwater runoff. Implementing solutions will protect both waterways and wildlife.

Should the Lower Platte South NRD continue to work with landowners to protect unique resources, such as native prairies and wetlands, by entering into perpetual conservation easements?

Yes. Wetlands are nature’s water filters. The plants, soil and bacteria help clean water before we drink it. They act as a sponge during major rain or flood events. Native prairies and wetlands are home to many species, reduce erosion and provides space to explore, bird watch or walk. Partnering with citizens to manage easements near these areas has proven to be both beneficial and effective.

Extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought are becoming more common. What can the Lower Platte South NRD do to help the district be more resilient to extreme weather events?

Resiliency and sustainability. Minimizing the effects of flooding can be improved by installing green infrastructure at different scales, from bioswales to streamside buffers. Conservation efforts have a cumulative impact on water supply and can reduce the outcome of drought.

What experience in public office, civic/professional organizations or other areas helps qualify you as a candidate for this office?

I worked for the Lancaster County Youth Services Center for nearly 25 years. During my tenure I was appointed as the deputy director. After retiring I have volunteered in various places. I currently serve on the board at the Lincoln Bike Kitchen.

Age: Not provided

Address: 7125 Yosemite Drive

°¿³¦³¦³Ü±è²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýParaeducator with Lincoln Public Schools, yoga instructor at Indigo Blue Hive

Political party:Ìý¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç³¦°ù²¹³Ù

Website:Ìý

What do you feel are the top three natural resource issues in the Lower Platte South NRD?

Flood control, water quality management, and improving soil biodiversity are important issues we must continue to work on. Supporting tree planting programs, cover crops and other regenerative soil health practices, as well as more awareness and education about our water, soil and wildlife are solutions we must continue to promote.

Should the Lower Platte South NRD continue to work with landowners to protect unique resources, such as native prairies and wetlands, by entering into perpetual conservation easements?

We should continue to work together to protect wild spaces, indigenous sacred spaces, wetlands, native prairies, wildlife and water. Building a future where we have healthier soil, a supportive and stable local food system, cleaner water to drink, clean lakes and streams to swim and fish and a thriving ecosystem is vital to the future generations of Nebraskans.

Extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought are becoming more common. What can the Lower Platte South NRD do to help the district be more resilient to extreme weather events?

The NRD continues to work on flood control issues and this is definitely a priority. We have a common goal to improve soil health and water quality as these are connected and address issues as we continue to act on climate. Finding more incentives for taxpayers, improving existing programs and developing new ways to connect to the community, landowners, farmers and local businesses, as they all play a role and can make a difference, are key.

What experience in public office, civic/professional organizations or other areas helps qualify you as a candidate for this office?

My educational background has local roots from Lincoln High School and I'm an SCC graduate with an associate degree in science. I have been active in the community with important issues, mostly focused on water quality, public health and safety in Lancaster County. I have served on two different boards. One is the nonprofit Lincoln Earth Day, and the other a two-year term with the Nebraska Sierra Club Executive Committee Board.

Age: 37

´¡»å»å°ù±ð²õ²õ:Ìý702 Sumner St.

°¿³¦³¦³Ü±è²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýAssociate Director, Policy and Care Transformation at the Center to Advance Palliative Care

Political party:Ìý¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç³¦°ù²¹³Ù

Website:Ìý

What do you feel are the top three natural resource issues in the Lower Platte South NRD?

The top three natural resource issues are ensuring that our residences and businesses are safe from increasingly frequent climate events (particularly flooding); protecting the quality of our groundwater as our community continues to grow; and preserving our trails, lakes, and other recreational gifts that make our region such a wonderful place to live.

Should the Lower Platte South NRD continue to work with landowners to protect unique resources, such as native prairies and wetlands, by entering into perpetual conservation easements?

Absolutely. Conservation easements are powerful tools that enable private landownersÌý— by their own initiativeÌý— and the NRD to work in partnership to protect our district’s precious natural resources. While they are not right for everyone, they can be beneficial for landowners who don’t want to develop their land and yet might be facing pressure to do so. We must keep combating misinformation about how these easements operate. The NRD and Nebraska Land Trust have wonderful resources on this topic.

Extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought are becoming more common. What can the Lower Platte South NRD do to help the district be more resilient to extreme weather events?

We need to act on the information we have. The NRD and Lincoln have created evidence-based programs and researched emerging best practices. The Salt Creek Floodplain Resiliency Study recommends updating floodplain maps in light of new precipitation projections, adopting higher regulatory standards for development, and pursuing other non-structural and structural measures. And the NRD continuously educates our community on how to use water responsibly (particularly prior to droughts), while investigating new technologies to more effectively measure/allocate water.

What experience in public office, civic/professional organizations or other areas helps qualify you as a candidate for this office?

I have served as the vice chairperson for the Nebraska Palliative Care Advisory Council since 2017. In this role, I have led efforts to establish a baseline for palliative care capacity in Nebraska, provide palliative care education care to the public and health care providers, and begin building a coalition to advance the next round of policymaking to support Nebraskans with serious illness. I am also a proud graduate of Leadership Lincoln’s Fellows Class 37 — best class ever!

Age: 71

´¡»å»å°ù±ð²õ²õ:Ìý1144 Manchester Drive, Lincoln

°¿³¦³¦³Ü±è²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:ÌýIT professional; cybersecurity, firewalls, networks, server and PC service and sales

Political party:ÌýRepublican

Website:Ìý

What do you feel are the top three natural resource issues in the Lower Platte South NRD?

1. The NRD is consistently working on our No. 1 resource -- water -- through sustainability, quality and quantity programs. 2. The NRD ensures public safety from floods through their dam and stream projects and programs. 3. Find the proper balance of fiscal responsibility and the protection of our natural resources while keeping your taxes low. The NRD has master plans that cover these issues along with cost-share programs, environmental education, landscapes/stormwater/watershed, community assistance, trails and many others.

Should the Lower Platte South NRD continue to work with landowners to protect unique resources, such as native prairies and wetlands, by entering into perpetual conservation easements?

The NRD currently has many programs and continually works with local, state and federal agencies to protect our natural resources. I am sure this will continue well into the future. It is included in the master plans.

Extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought, are becoming more common. What can the Lower Platte South NRD do to help the district be more resilient to extreme weather events?

The NRD has many programs that deal with this on an ongoing, if not daily, basis through repairs and upgrades of flood control structures and dams. There are resiliency programs and master plans in place that are updated on a regular basis both short term and long term to address this.

What experience in public office, civic/professional organizations or other areas helps qualify you as a candidate for this office?

I served on the Lower Platte South NRD for 12 years (2008-2020). I have served the community and state on several state and local boards. I have worked with both public and private budgets. I have had two successful companies for the past 30 years. I serve in our church and I give back serving our veterans by co-chairing the Lincoln Memorial Day Observance Association. Volunteering is a way of life and it is a high priority for me.