Middle Niobrara NRD
Office Information
| Name |
Address |
Phone Numbers |
|
Christine Lousias
District Conservationist
|
518 West HWY 20, Suite 2
Valentine, NE 69201 |
Phone: (402) 376-1712 ext. 3
Fax: (855) 775-3858 |
District Conservationist Biographical Sketch
Hometown: I grew up in Detroit, Michigan
Family: My father lives with me, as well as a Golden Retriever, Yellow Lab and…well – Gus, whatever he may be - bless his mutt heart. I have a sister and a brother living in Michigan.
1982: I graduated from St. Alphonsus High School in Dearborn, Michigan.
1988: I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Wildlife Management.
I started my government career in 1988 working temporary duty with the National Park Service in Virginia. I had the privilege to work for the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in North Dakota. I also had the opportunity to work with the Bureau of Land Management in Oregon.
In 1993, I started working on a more semi-permanent basis with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a Refuge Management District as a Private Lands Biologist in South Dakota and moved to the Ecological Services division in East Lansing, MI, in 1999 on an endangered species project.
My first position with NRCS was in 2002 as a Soil Conservation Technician, and eventually a Soil Conservationist in Iowa. I moved to South Dakota as a District Conservationist in 2010.
Resource Needs and Concerns
Rangeland and cropland conservation practices to reduce wind erosion.
Technical service and education to improve soil health.
Improve water quality issues as mentioned in the district's groundwater management plan.
Address water quantity issues.
Degradation of riparian areas and streambeds.
Endangered species
Livestock protection from adverse weather
Upland and wetland wildlife habitat
Improve rangeland health
Timber stand improvement on forestland
Improved management on subirrigated meadows.
Resource management systems that address production, maintain and enhance the resource base, increase profitability, and maintain a quality rural lifestyle and standard of living.
Primary Programs and Services
The Partnership utilizes the following programs on a routine basis to address the resource concerns and need identified by the district and the local work group:
Information and outreach activities include conservation programs for rural and city schools, FFA, 4-H clubs, Rotary Club, CES meetings, County Fair, and Sandhills Cattle Association.
