Nebraska students’ environmental artwork to be featured in 2026 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” calendar

Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Director Jesse Bradley honored 13 students whose artwork was chosen to be part of the 2026 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” Calendar. Pictured are, from left: (front row) Grace Schmidt, Eliana Garwood, and Olivia Whiteface; (second row) Evlyn Kunzman, Dayton Cunningham, and Rocky Falcone; and (back row) Director Bradley, Hannah Pokrinchak, Briley Dohmen, Lt. Gov. Kelly, Coralee Schurr, and River Case. Not pictured are Clara Fehringer, Eden Duryea, and Brenda Hernandez.

LINCOLN, Neb. — The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2026 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.

The students whose submissions were selected for the 2026 calendar were invited to a ceremony at the State Capitol on Thursday, July 24, where they were honored by Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly and DWEE Director Jesse Bradley. Each month, the calendar features one of the 12 winning environmental posters. A 13th winner’s artwork provides the cover for the calendar.

The entry featured on the cover was submitted by Evlyn Kunzman, a fifth-grade student from Boone Central Schools in Albion.

The other 12 winners featured in the calendar are:
Grace Schmidt, a kindergarten student from 1-R School, Grand Island.
Clara Fehringer, a second-grade student from St. Joseph Catholic School, Beatrice.
Eden Duryea, a ninth-grade student from Humboldt Table Rock Steinauer, Humboldt.
Eliana Garwood, a fourth-grade student from Fort Calhoun Elementary, Fort Calhoun.
River Case, a fifth-grade student from Weeping Water Public School, Weeping Water.
Olivia Whiteface, a fourth-grade student from Gordon Elementary School, Gordon.
Briley Dohmen, a tenth-grade student from Lindsay Academy, Lindsay.
Rocky Falcone, a third-grade student from Lourdes Central Catholic, Nebraska City.
Dayton Cunningham, a fourth-grade student from Wausa Public Schools, Wausa.
Coralee Schurr, a seventh-grade student from Eustis-Farnam Public Schools, Eustis.
Hannah Pokrinchak, an eleventh-grade student from David City High School, David City.
Brenda Hernandez, a seventh-grade student from Nebraska City Middle School, Nebraska City.

Nebraskans can receive a free copy of the calendar by emailing the DWEE public information office at [email protected]  or calling the office at 402-471-2186.