Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District

09/14/2026

The Papio NRD Board of Directors cut $9 million from its 2027 budget to limit tax increases, while continuing to fund critical flood mitigation projects and infrastructure.

More -> https://bit.ly/4AdnSpc

09/11/2026

Knowing your exact location on Omaha’s trails can make all the difference in an emergency. 🏃🏾‍♀️

Papio NRD crews installed the last of 200 trail markers across the West Papio, Big Papio, and Keystone trails.

📍The final marker is in place near Harry Anderson & Q St.

If you ever need emergency help on the trails, read the nearest marker to 911 to pinpoint your location. Markers are located every 1/10th of a mile.

09/10/2026

THIS SATURDAY! World O! Water Festival.

Free lunch, hands-on learning stations, face painting, and much more.

Grab the kiddos and learn all things water! It's fun...and it's FREE!

More at: https://www.worldowater.org/

On September 12 from noon until 4pm, join in the fun at the annual World O! Water festival!

This free, family festival takes place at Chalco Hills and is presented by Omaha Stormwater and the City of Omaha Public Works Department, Keep Omaha Beautiful, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, and the Papillion Creek Watershed Partnership. Dozens of supporting organizations will provide FREE activities, learning stations, science & wildlife exhibits, hands-on crafts, face painting, and more!

A FREE lunch will be given out while supplies last, sponsored by Hy-Vee and Rotella’s Bakery. The Metropolitan Utilities District Water Truck will also be onsite, so don’t forget your refillable water bottle!

More at: https://www.worldowater.org/

09/04/2026

In observance of Labor Day, all Papio NRD offices will be closed.

Enjoy the holiday!

09/02/2026

Safely get rid of unwanted paint, pesticides, and other household chemicals!

Residents of Washington, Burt, Thurston, and Dakota counties can bring eligible household hazardous waste to free collections.

Blair: Friday, September 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Blair Recycling Center

Walthill: Saturday, September 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 102 Brown St.

See the flyer to see what items will be accepted.

♻️ Household Hazardous Waste Collection Coming to Blair!

Time to clean out the garage, basement, or shed! The Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be in Blair on:

📅 Friday, September 18
⏰ 2:00–5:00 PM
📍 Blair Recycling Center – 440 South 3rd Ave.
💲 FREE OF CHARGE

Accepted household items include paint, pesticides, herbicides, oil, cleaning chemicals, yard chemicals, antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs, car batteries and more.

⚠️ Household quantities only. Please see the attached flyer for a complete list of accepted and non-accepted items.

This event is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment and sponsored by the Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, and the communities of Blair, North Bend and Walthill.

Take advantage of this free opportunity to safely dispose of those household hazardous materials! ♻️🏠

09/01/2026

ICYMI: Campers, we have a new feature at Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area that makes walk-up camping a breeze.

Know before you go! View real-time site availability to see if a spot is open before you leave home.

Mobile payment: Find an open spot and scan the QR code to pay with your phone. SIMPLE!

We are proud to partner with Set Your Sites for a hassle-free check-in experience.

More info -> https://bit.ly/4v2Xn34

Our mission is simple: to make campground operations smoother for staff and more convenient for campers.

Set Your Sites simplifies technology with intuitive tools built for real campground operations. From reservation tracking to cashless walk-ups and site mapping, everything is designed to run more efficiently behind the scenes.

Click our bio link to schedule a demo today.

08/27/2026

It's fun, FREE, and all things water. Don't miss World O! Water on Saturday, September 12th, from 12-4pm at Chalco Hills Recreation Area!

Enjoy hands-on activities, wildlife exhibits, a free hot dog lunch, live music, face painting, and more!

See you there! https://www.worldowater.org/sponsors/

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Help make World O! Water 2026 an event to remember! There are multiple volunteer shifts available. The World O! Water festival is an event for all ages to explore science and water conservation activities. World O! Water runs from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with some shifts starting as early as 10:30 AM.

Sign up today and select a position that best suits your interests, such as an education assistant, lunch volunteer, event set-up, or tear-down assistant. Enjoy the festivities before and after your shift, and grab a free hot dog lunch (while supplies last). Learn more & sign up at » keepomahabeautiful.org/get-involved/volunteer.html

08/24/2026

Lisa Gerdes and her family visited Kramper Lake at Danish Alps Recreation Area as part of the Natural Resources Districts Recreation Exploration.

“Camping trip for grandson’s birthday. The whole family and some friends had a great time fishing and enjoying the lake. It was our first time camping here and definitely worth it!” - Lisa

The initiative challenges participants to visit as many NRD recreation areas as they can until Sept. 18. While there, snap a pic and submit it for a chance to win prizes! https://www.nrdnet.org/recreation

08/19/2026

Following the tragic drowning of 19-year-old Wyatt Bernal at Chalco Hills in July, the Papio NRD has installed a free life jacket loaner station.
The station provides free life jackets for boaters, canoeists, kayakers, and other lake users to borrow while they are on the water and return when they are done.

More details -> https://bit.ly/4wGO3BR

08/17/2026

The Elkhorn River access parks have reopened. Have fun and stay safe.