About Natural Nebraska

As the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET) prepares to issue the fourteenth annual grant awards from the proceeds of the Nebraska Lottery, it is a joy to review the over $100 million of projects, large and small, across the state. The success of the Trust has exceeded all expectations, of even the most ardent supporters early on.

It is not nearly so pleasant to review the more than $321 million in legitimate and worthy projects, which have been turned away due to lack of funds. Now, thanks to the vision and leadership of the Nebraska Legislature, we hope to do something about the shortfall.

Natural Nebraska, a campaign to augment the funds available to the Nebraska Environmental Trust, was started in March 2001 and currently chaired by Trust Board Chair Gloria Erickson.

"Protecting the environment using common sense and sound science must be a priority for our generation. The Nebraska Environmental Trust has allowed our State to be on the cutting edge of environmental stewardship. In fact, without lottery grant dollars most of the NET projects of the last several years probably would not have been funded from any source. Despite the success of the NET, there are literally hundreds of worthy ideas costing tens of millions of dollars that have gone un-funded. The Natural Nebraska campaign provides an opportunity to address those projects so that our wide-open spaces and natural resources can be preserved for the future," Erickson said.

Gifts to Natural Nebraska will be deposited in a separate account and invested to create a funding pool to generate grant money far into the future. Donors may contribute in any amount to help preserve the great outdoors, which is so much a part of the Good Life we enjoy today.

Nebraska Environmental Trust Interim Director Lisa Beethe said, "The need for these projects, and the desire of Nebraskans to continue to maintain and improve our environment is far greater than what we have been able to meet. We are proud of the fact that we don't use tax dollars for our funding, and so we started looking for ways to do more using voluntary donations. With Lottery funds we have a checking account. Now we will have a savings account, too."