Anniversary Story: "From Intern to Partner" by Dan N. King

"From Intern to Partner"

by Dan N. King, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

I was hired in 2004 by The Groundwater Foundation where I served in different roles such as an Intern, GIS Specialist, and Program Assistant. I was employed for almost two years with my primary duties focused on the Foundation’s Blue River Basin Community/Source Protection Program. The project brought Nebraska and Kansas partners together to address excessive fecal coliform and atrazine impacts to source water throughout the basin. It was during this time that I had the privilege of learning from Groundwater Foundation founder, Susan Seacrest, who was relentless in her quest to educate and motivate people including me. I can remember her encouraging talks helping me to expand outside of my comfort area and to become the public health and environmental professional that I am today. The Blue River project included traveling throughout the basin Kansas where I met with community leaders and discussed how to move communities forward toward basin-wide water protection goals. It was a pivotal and growing experience. I would like to think that the Blue River Basin is healthier and safer because of our collective efforts.

I never thought my professional work would come full circle so soon and bring me back to The Groundwater Foundation but that is exactly what happened. Jump forward to 2006-07 when the Groundwater Foundation was again working to draw attention to a serious threat to ground and surface waters; that being pharmaceutical and personal care products. Highlighting a then recent study by the USGS, The Groundwater Foundation put themselves in the role of messenger and facilitator in organizing educational resources and opportunities for discussion and learning.

It was at that time as a newly hired Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department employee, that I attended a 2007 Groundwater Foundation workshop that brought concerned individuals, organizations, and communities together around the topic of water quality impacts from products that were finding their way into streams, lakes and drinking water. This workshop would be a couple years before the Associated Press investigative study that identified that some 10 million US citizens were drinking a cocktail of water, unwanted medications, and other waste products. Out of the workshop the Nebraska MEDS (Medication Education on Disposal Strategies) Coalition was formed to tackle the task of changing behavior away from flushing unwanted medications to waste disposal methods that were more protective of public and the environment.

The Nebraska MEDS Coalition went forward to change state law allowing for the return of medications to pharmacies for proper disposal. Following this important step, the Coalition rallied around a pilot project in Lincoln and Lancaster County to fund a medication disposal system that was conveniently pharmacy based. Now, some six years later and after state funds were appropriated for the effort, 260+ pharmacies across the state are actively collecting leftover medications with 8,000 pounds of medications being collected for safe and legal destruction. That is 8,000 pounds of pollution that will not be in our drinking water. I don’t believe this would have happened without the leadership and vision of The Groundwater Foundation. I’m proud to call myself a past employee and partner of The Groundwater Foundation. 

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3 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association

Anniversary Story: "What Do the Numbers Say?" by Doug Sams

"What Do the Numbers Say?"

by Doug Sams, The Groundwater Foundation

A Groundwater Foundation perspective from the numbers side... 

After 15 plus years in tax and public accounting I decided to try a different career journey; I always enjoyed working with my charitable organization clients and when I saw a job ad for the Groundwater Foundation, I called.

My interview was with Susan Seacrest and Cindy Kreifels.  I don’t remember getting much said in word-wise because Susan was a formidable, energetic force wanting to make sure I started to grasp the importance of our groundwater resources.  Dial up some WOW!  A connection was made because I’ve been the Foundation’s accountant since 2007.

Over the past several months we have all enjoyed the stories and hearing about the impact of the educational programs and other projects of The Groundwater Foundation.  But there are “inside” stories rarely promoted; this is where I’ve had my “fun” (yes, accountants do have fun) working for the Foundation.  It’s been about our commitment to financial transparency for our funders, innovating new processes for more operational efficiency, having eight years of successful independent financial audits, facing the cash flow challenges of economic cycles, collaborating with funders and partners, and much more.

What do the numbers say?  There have been a lot of special folks and financial supporters helping The Groundwater Foundation team provide quality programs over the past 30 years.  A big heartfelt thank you to our supporters!  Let’s start on the next 30 years!

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4 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association

Anniversary Story: "Evolving" by William Bieck

"Evolving"
By William Bieck, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook, Nebraska

Evolving is often described as the gradual development or progression to a more complex or organized state.  In more simplified terms it is “change.”  I have been a golf course superintendent for over 40 years and have seen the golf course industry evolve from the many advances in technology, science, and environmental understanding. It does not matter what profession you are associated with, we all have more knowledge and scientific tools available than ever before that will make us more productive and efficient.

 My “story” begins with a brief journey from my childhood and ends where my beliefs are today concerning our most important resource – water. I grew up in south-central Nebraska on a family farm in the 1960s. Gravity irrigation of row crops was king. Irrigation wells were drilled and land leveled to accept gravity flow. Water was taken for granted and considered an infinite commodity. We drank water directly from the wells without any thought of testing for quality. Nobody gave a second thought about how fertilizers or pesticides could have a negative impact on our underground water supplies. Irrigation discharges at the end of fields filled roadside ditches and eventually provided tributary flows into rivers and streams.  Our farm had a branch of the Big Blue River passing through it that we affectionately called the “sewer creek” (named appropriately because of discharges made into it upstream). It really didn't bother us in that we always fished and swam in the “creek.” We observed turtles, waterfowl, beavers, and muskrats.  I'll always remember the day when I went down to the creek and saw dead fish floating down the river. Something happened!

Fast forward to today. Pivot irrigation is now king. Water is applied much more uniformly and discreetly. Fertilizer and pesticides applications are monitored in such a way to protect our underground water supplies. Roadside ditches are dry with little or no irrigation waters leaving its application site.

My childhood shaped who I am today. I have evolved too. I now realize how our actions today will affect the environment of tomorrow. I am an advocate for the protection and conservation of groundwater. I have become a more skilled spokesman for the golf course industry on a state and national level, serving on numerous committees. That is why I became involved with the Groundwater Guardian Green Site program. I have to admit, when a peer suggested I join the group several years ago, I was highly skeptical. It would have been very easy to ignore the important environmental issues that always seemed to be confronting the golf course industry and let others “fight the fight.” I always considered myself a good environmental steward and was always trying to do the “right” things...so why should I get involved?

After reviewing the Green Site program, it revealed that I was already doing many of their suggested practices. The program would validate the positive things we were already doing. The program is essentially a self-evaluation process. It allows you to assess your facility and make changes at your pace and level of financial commitment. Plus, it provided positive press to local media outlets.  

The Green Site program has also given me the opportunity to network with professionals from other varying fields. It has allowed me to advocate on behalf of our industry and clarify any misconceptions. Often it is the uninformed public that can do irreparable damage. Communicating environmental issues to a “guarded” public will always be one of our greatest challenges. Thus, it is important to combat negative public perception with factual results. I am proud of our industry and feel we are leading the way to a cleaner and better environment. However, it may even be more challenging to convince our elected government officials and regulatory agencies to recognize the impact of their decisions. Our lawmakers must be able to balance environmental sustainability without jeopardizing economic vitality.

Evolution will continue.  Sensible and sustainable actions that produce results will be fundamental to a healthy tomorrow.

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5 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association

Anniversary Story: "The Experience is Priceless" by James Burks

"The Experience is Priceless"
by James Burks, President, Senninger Irrigation

James Burks addresses attendees at the
2013 Groundwater Foundation
National Conference.

Get involved, enhance your life…the experience is priceless!

In May of 2009 I was invited to join the board of directors of The Groundwater Foundation. For me this was an opportunity to have a “voice at the table” regarding the utilization of this finite resource so critical to the welfare of the industry I participate in professionally, irrigation. I must shamefully admit that, at least initially, this was my primary motivation for getting involved. The past six years of service have been both a blessing and an education, and I am happy to admit that my motives have become much less self-serving.

Beginning with my first introduction to the Foundation I remain impressed with the organization’s strong reputation for public education through the promotion of responsible scientific data. By serving with The Groundwater Foundation I have seen the issue of water quality protection and resource conservation through the eyes of urban as well as rural water users. Users with an economic stake in protecting this resource as well as those just wanting to be sure that their grandchildren will not need to worry if their water is safe to drink….all coming together with the spirit of collaboration, not controversy.  

One of the greatest personal blessings I have received as a Foundation board member is the friendships with the genuinely caring people associated with the Foundation.  Awesome relationships occur when people’s hearts and hands come together for the purpose of helping others. So many bright and talented people, with varied personal and professional interests, are donating their time to help secure a sustainable supply of clean water for future generations. What a humbling honor, just to witness firsthand the magic that is The Groundwater Foundation.

Happy 30^th Anniversary to The Groundwater Foundation! Please accept my sincere appreciation for including me as a small part of this great journey. You have given me more than I can ever repay through priceless friendships and knowledge. And the best part of it all is… It’s just the beginning!

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6 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association