Nebraska Cattlemen has recommended Troy replace Jana Jensen as the NC staff representative to our board. We will vote on the nomination at our June Board meeting.

    On April 21, 2000 the NET informed STF that we were awarded a grant for $81,500 for the first year of the three year project. I sent out a letter to numerous people explaining the grant and how the money would be used.

    Byron and I met with Troy Bredenkamp about the position we are requesting NC hire to provide technical assistance in the Sandhills. A cooperative agreement was drafted stating the responsibilities of each organization. They are listed below

Sandhills Task Force agrees to:

• Assist NC in the hiring of person

• Reimburse the NC for salary and costs, not to exceed $58,000 for the first year.

• Provide technical advice, training, and support. Field supervision will be provided by a designated member of the STF.

• The STF will not use or influence this position to promote political or organizational positions that are in conflict with NC policies or positions.

• Take the leadership role in obtaining funding to cost-share with Sandhill ranchers to install conservation practices on privately-owned grasslands.

Cattlemen agrees to:

    The details will be presented at the Board meeting. NC will approve or disapprove the agreement at their next Board meeting in June. We need to do likewise.

    On April 26, 2000 the IRS granted Sandhills Task Force tax exempt status. A great big thank you to John Detisch, the attorney that help us wade through the legal jargon. What we save in paying taxes, we make up for in forms. We are only required to submit Form 990 each May. I obtained a copy of the form to see what it entailed. It is only 9 pages long!!

    Vince Shay informed me of changes in their financial policy. Beginning July 1, their national office will be only paying CD-type returns on investments. The national office will keep any investment revenue above that amount. Since we no longer will be enjoying the high returns, Vince wants to transfer a large portion of the Land Reserve account to the STF. They are proposing to retain the $100,000 we contributed for the Birdwood easement (TNC hasn’t withdrawn that from our account yet.) and an additional amount to cover costs of restoring Pullman Valley Fen and operation and maintenance costs on the fen property. Any funds not utilized by the time the fen property is sold would be turned over to STF.

    I am in the process of obtaining investment information from three sources so STF can decide where to put the funds transferred from TNC. The Nebraska Community Foundation currently holds our money under their 501 (c) 3 status–which we do not need any longer. They pay interest on the account similar to a long-term, easy access account: that is about 5.4 percent annual. The withdrawal fee for each transaction is 1.5 percent of the amount of withdrawal. For example, $100,000 in the account for one year would reach a balance of $105,400. If the money was removed at the one-year date, the withdrawal fee would be about $1,580. Leaving a return of 3.8 percent on the investment.

    I met with a representative from Edward D. Jones, he believes he can do better. But, he needs to know what amounts of money we expect to keep in long-term (10-years or more) and what amount will be short-term (annual). I told him we would discuss this at the next Board meeting. I am planning to meet with another investor next week.

    The SNR Education Cooperative is putting on a Sandhills Academy Camp on June 19-23. The camp is for teens and is designed to increase awareness and understanding of the Sandhills and to build leadership skills. The Cooperative is asking the STF to fund 16 scholarships at $125 per student.

    Remember back when...when we agreed to fund a perception study to get an accurate assessment of how people feel about the Sandhills? Well, Amy has some preliminary results and great experiences she wishes to share with the group. I talked with her briefly about it and got pretty excited.

What excites Gene?––Ranchers thought the survey was much needed and were appreciative of the STF for funding the project so their views would not only be heard, but put in a formal publication so politicians in Eastern Nebraska would know how they feel.

    Amy is a great ambassador for the STF who informed a lot of interviewees about our organization. Game and Parks Commission had a "Sandhills Task Force" sign made to put on the side of the vehicle. And, interviewees mentioned we should have a logo! She will share some of the key points at our Board meeting.

    From time to time, I get a request from organizations that would like to imitate the STF approach. The most recent one came from Kansas. They are trying to develop a group that will focus on the grasslands of the Flint Hills.

    A national Land Conservation Summit is being held in St. Paul on July 28 & 29. Its focus is conservation easements. Speakers will be those who know the legal and environmental implications of easements. I have made reservations to attend. But, there are more sessions that I can go to. I would love to have at least one rancher-member of STF attend as well. I will find a way to pay registration, food, lodging and transportation if anyone is interested.

    Photo below is picture of one of the three water control structures installed in Jumbo Valley Fen. Photo was taken during spring flows. Structure has pooled 6 inches of water (maximum) near the structure.