Steve Chick, the longest-serving and most visible NRCS state conservationist in Nebraska history, will leave his post Oct. 1 and move to Texas in another NRCS position.

Chick has been with NRCS in Nebraska for 18 years total, with 15 years as state conservationist. During his time as state conservationist, Chick traveled the state extensively, logging an estimated 15,000 miles a year to meet with his field staff and review their projects.

He is a big proponent of partnerships among his agency, landowners, Nebraska's natural resources districts and other conservation entities. The significant increase in federal conservation program funding in recent years resulted in more soil, water and wildlife habitat practices applied across Nebraska.

Chick will become a senior training specialist attached to the National Employee Development Center in Ft. Worth, Texas.

"My 15 years as state conservationist in Nebraska were fabulous," Chick says. "I would not have wanted to go to any other state. No other state has the conservation ethic, the natural resources district partnerships and the dedicated NRCS staff like Nebraska does."