Letter to the Editor

Many deserve thanks for Prairie Arboretum project

Friday, December 14, 2018

Dear Editor,

I was very honored to be recognized by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum recently for the work on the Norris Institute's Prairie Arboretum. There were many agencies and Norris Board members who put countless hours into this project that need to be publicly thanked. The problem is not offending someone by overlooking them. Please forgive me if I have forgotten anyone.

Rob and Glorianne Spencer from Black Rose Angus loaned us a tractor, as did Mike and Loretta Macfee of Macvee farms for the seeding process. Dave and Lucy Lines of Morgan Mudd supplied a skidsteer for our use.

Jason Kennedy from the NRCS, graciously offered technical support, on his own time, in seed recommendations and cultural practices. Through the NRCS McCook office, we were introduced to Mike Winkler with Pheasants Forever, when the Arboretum was the host site for his presentation of "an evening on the prairie." This event concluded a day of workshops around habitat planting. It is easy to imagine Joe Magrath's original vision of this essentially becoming an outdoor classroom. The City of McCook has always been supportive in anyway possible and went as far as to offer City Manager, Kurt Fritsch as a day laborer. Early Board member, Roger Stockton, with the Cambridge USDA Office was heavily involved.

I need to mention the entire board of the Norris Institute, all have donated time (and money) to this project. Warren Jones, Cloyd Clark, Mark Graff, Bruce McDowell, Maggie Repass, Leon Kuhlen, Dennis Berry and Gene Morris.

Thanks to all that have so selfishly contributed resources to this project.

Bruce Hoffman

McCook, Neb.

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