Sandhills Task Force

The Sandhills Task Force began as a group of people concerned about the future of the Sandhills. Beginning in 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hired a person to assess the Sandhills resources and develop a program that would ensure the future of the grassland resource. While resource organizations welcomed the initiative, Nebraska Cattlemen and ranchers were concerned about the growing control government was having on their land and ranching operations.

In 1991, the Nebraska Cattlemen and Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to bring individuals from both sides together to provide input to the Service in developing a plan that would be both beneficial and acceptable within the Sandhills. In 1993, the plan was signed by each member of the group and the Fish and Wildlife Service. It was at this time that the Sandhills Task Force decided to continue as a group to ensure the plan was implemented. Within the next three years, the group became a non-profit corporation recognized by the state of Nebraska. It became instrumental in obtaining funding to finance conservation projects on privately owned lands, grazing workshops, an educational video, and research projects.

Its ability to find practical, win-win solutions to resource problems has given it recognition at the state and national level. The Task Force has been recognized as a workable model of a grassroots approach to landscape conservation.

In 2000, the Sandhills Task Force received its tax-exempt status (501 (c) 3) from the Internal Revenue Service.

Board members are selected in accordance to established bylaws. Nine of the members are associated with ranching while the other six are non-ranchers. Board members serve life-long terms or until they chose to resign. Board members as of February 24, 2010 are listed below.

Member	Address	Association
Ben Bailey	Lakeside, NE	Rancher
Melody Benjamin	Lakeside, NE	Rancher/Nebraska Cattlemen
Barb Cooksley	Anselmo, NE	Rancher
A. B. Cox, Vice President	Mullen, NE	Rancher
Byron Eatinger, President	Thedford, NE	Rancher
Eric Hansen	North Platte, NE	Rancher
Mike Kelly	Sutherland, NE	Rancher
Mick Knott	Hyannis, NE	Rancher
Richard Lackaff	Bassett, NE	Rancher
Ted LaGrange	Lincoln, NE	Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
Brett Weiser	Lincoln, NE	Natural Resources Conservation Service
Joel Klammer	Bassett, NE	North Central R, C & D
Jim Luchsinger	Valentine, NE	The Nature Conservancy
Gene Mack, Sec./Treasurer	Kearney, NE	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Rob Ravenscroft	Lincoln, NE	Member at large
Jack Andersen	Lakeside, NE	Rancher/County Commissioner

In December, 2000 the Sandhills Task Force joined with Nebraska Cattlemen to hire a person to work directly with landowners to assist in providing technical assistance and finding available funding to do conservation projects. Jim Van Winkle was selected for the position. Jim is a life-time resident of Cherry County, rancher, and Cherry County Commissioner. His lifetime commitment to the Sandhills people, ranching and natural resources has made Jim a valuable asset toward reaching the Task Force goals.