• Our Mission is:        

 "To promote and provide Recreation & Tourism

in and around the Niobrara River Valley"

• The President of the NRO is Ed Heinert, the Secretary is Louise Heinert, the Vice President is Steve Breuklander, and the Treasurer is Twyla Graham.

• The Niobrara River Outfitters, Inc. (NRO) became a 501-C Non-Profit organization in 1994.

• The NRO has been advertising and promoting the Niobrara River Valley and all of the other outdoor recreation opportunities available in the area since the early 1980's. We made our first joint brochure in 1984. Over the years we have designed brochures, rack card, various magazine & newspaper ads, along with traveling to sports shows to set up booths to promote our unique area.

• We received the "Take Pride In America" National Award in 1988 for our efforts to organize the Annual River Cleanup, and the "Outstanding Contribution Award" for exemplary enhancement and outreach programs through the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

• The Annual Niobrara River Appreciation Day & Outfitters Cleanup began on the 3rd Sunday of September 1981. We continue to offer FREE canoe & kayak trips to the public and have a potluck picnic for the participants that evening at Sunny Brook Camp. This gives you and your family, employees, youth groups and others an opportunity to become familiar with the river valley.

• We have donated canoes, kayaks & shuttle service to the Cherry County 8th Grade Graduates for a "fun day to get acquainted on the river" since May of 2000.

• Our active members have been involved in the Valentine Chamber of Commerce, National Parks Scenic River Planning & Interpretive Planning, USFWS Recreation Plan, Niobrara Council as Recreation Representatives, along with helping with the Spring River Cleanup, Cherry/Keya Paha County Emergency Management and the Outlaw Trail Scenic By-Way, Highway 12.

• We set up an Outfitters Orientation workshop in 1999, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Nebraska Game and Parks Conservation Officers and all local outfitters, to discuss procedures for safety & rescue. This workshop focuses on getting information about the area out to visitors, along with how to provide our guest with a quality trip on the beautiful Niobrara River. We are continuing to participate in these workshops each spring with the USFWS & NPS with our new seasonal employees.

• We have met with Congressman Tom Osborne at Sparks, NE on issues involving the roads, and the USFWS & NPS with their river management plans. The NRO has also stayed in contact with Senator Nelson's office on various river issues.

• In 2003 the NRO donated $200 to the Cherry County Hospital Ambulance Crew for new cots. This money had matching funds making it worth $400 towards the cots.

• In 2004 the NRO sponsored a member to attend the River Management Symposium at Lake Tahoe, presented by the River Management Society. We plan to send another member to the RMS held in South Sioux City in May of 2006. These meetings provide valuable information on river management across the United States.

• In 2005 we setup a life-jacket loaner program, at Smith Falls State Park for individuals that are not aware of the Life-jacket Laws.