Community Involvement and Leadership in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Rural Poll Research Report 19-1

Community leadership and involvement are important parts of community development. Rural communities rely on volunteers for many community development activities as well as local leadership positions. In smaller communities in particular, community members often take on multiple roles. Given these challenges, how involved are rural Nebraskans in community and political activities? How do they feel about the leadership in their community? How often do they have social interactions with others during a typical month? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their community involvement and community leadership. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 2015 Rural Poll. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged

Perceptions of Immigration Among Nonmetropolitan Nebraskans: Nebraska Rural Poll Research Report 19-2

The percent of Nebraska’s population that is foreign born has steadily increased during the past decade. In fact, its growth in foreign born population since 2010 ranks in the top 10 among all states. Given these changes, are rural Nebraskans aware of recent immigrants in their community? How do they perceive immigrants and their impacts on rural Nebraska? How do they view various immigration policies? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about immigration. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 2006 Rural Poll. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged

Exploring the Nebraska Rural Poll, 2020

The Nebraska Rural Poll was initiated in 1996. Over the past 24 years, input has been gathered from over 64,000 nonmetropolitan Nebraskans. 102 separate reports have been produced covering 31 unique topics Trend Analysis Subgroup Comparisons Some questions have been repeated at various intervals of tim

Trends in Well-Being in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Nebraska Rural Poll Research Report 19-3

Nebraska’s economy remained strong in the beginning of 2019. However, the continued weakness of the agriculture sector had the possibility of hampering the state’s economic growth. In addition, the March flooding had the potential for negative economic effects. Given these challenges, how do rural Nebraskans feel about their community? Are they satisfied with the services provided by their community? How do rural Nebraskans believe they are doing and how do they view their future? How satisfied are they with various items that influence their well-being? Have these views changed over the past 24 years? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their community and well-being. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 23 previous polls to this year’s results. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged

Movements of radio-tagged manatees in Tampa Bay and along Florida’s west coast, 1991–1996

Manatees wintering in Tampa Bay, Florida, were captured and fitted with satellite- and radio-telemetry equipment during a research project conducted from 1991 to 1996. Forty-four manatees were tagged after their capture in Tampa Bay; an additional 15 animals were tagged at other west coast locations. Locations of individual animals were estimated via satellite up to eight times per day, and observations of manatee locations were made in the field one or more times per week. These data were entered into a relational database and converted to a format accessible as points within a geographic information system (GIS). Seasonal densities of satellite locations were mapped for 33 manatees tagged in Tampa Bay. Within the bay, manatees aggregated at or near warm-water locations during winter. In other seasons, manatee density was highest in areas that had abundant sea grass and were close to fresh-water sources. Sequential data points for individual manatees were transformed into probable travel routes by using a GIS-based cost-path analysis. A map was created for each tagged manatee depicting estimated travel paths, and detailed descriptive information summarized major movements, tagging history, and physical characteristics. The travel patterns of male manatees were characterized by almost continual movement, often along predictable routes or circuits. Most males larger than 265 cm ranged 100 km or more away from Tampa Bay during non-winter months whereas smaller males remained in or near the bay. As males matured, their travel ranges appeared to expand. Female manatees used two general movement patterns. Small females and females with calves would use specific areas within a day’s travel of the warm-water sources for extended periods before moving to similar nearby areas for protracted stays. Females without calves and females longer than 330 cm with calves added long migrations between areas chosen for foraging.The ranges of some females extended south to Charlotte Harbor,the Caloosahatchee River,and the Everglades. Two tagged females traveled from Florida’s west coast to the east coast: one traveled south around the peninsula, and the other apparently moved east through Lake Okeechobee and the lock system

Perceptions of Immigration Among Nonmetropolitan Nebraskans: Nebraska Rural Poll Research Report 19-2

The percent of Nebraska’s population that is foreign born has steadily increased during the past decade. In fact, its growth in foreign born population since 2010 ranks in the top 10 among all states. Given these changes, are rural Nebraskans aware of recent immigrants in their community? How do they perceive immigrants and their impacts on rural Nebraska? How do they view various immigration policies? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about immigration. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 2006 Rural Poll. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged

Community Involvement and Leadership in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Rural Poll Research Report 19-1

Community leadership and involvement are important parts of community development. Rural communities rely on volunteers for many community development activities as well as local leadership positions. In smaller communities in particular, community members often take on multiple roles. Given these challenges, how involved are rural Nebraskans in community and political activities? How do they feel about the leadership in their community? How often do they have social interactions with others during a typical month? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their community involvement and community leadership. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 2015 Rural Poll. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged

Perceptions of Higher Education in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Research Report 19‐4

Some recent national polls have shown a decline in confidence in higher education. The cited reasons for this decline are concerns about affordability, access and the political culture on campuses. Given these national trends, how do rural Nebraskans view the impacts of their education? Do they view higher education as important for individuals and the economy? Have these views changed over the past four years? What types of higher education institutions have their households attended? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,776 responses to the 2019 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 24th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about education. Trends for some of the questions are examined by comparing data from the 2015 Rural Poll to this year’s results. In addition, comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc

Exploring the Nebraska Rural Poll, 2020

The Nebraska Rural Poll was initiated in 1996. Over the past 24 years, input has been gathered from over 64,000 nonmetropolitan Nebraskans. 102 separate reports have been produced covering 31 unique topics Trend Analysis Subgroup Comparisons Some questions have been repeated at various intervals of tim

Severe Weather in Nebraska: Impacts on Nonmetropolitan Nebraskans. 2020 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

In March 2019, a bomb cyclone produced a historic blizzard as well as flooding that impacted many counties in Nebraska. Given that, did rural Nebraskans experience extreme weather events or natural disasters in 2019? To what extent were they harmed by these weather events? What personal impacts did they experience? How concerned are they about weather events? This paper provides a detailed analysis of these questions. This report details 1,979 responses to the 2020 Nebraska Rural Poll, the 25th annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about weather events. Comparisons are made among different respondent subgroups, that is, comparisons by age, occupation, region, etc. Based on these analyses, some key findings emerged: • Most rural Nebraskans say their household experienced extreme high winds and many experienced an extreme rainstorm and an extreme snow/ice/winter storm in 2019. Similar proportions reported that their community also experienced these weather events. However, rural Nebraskans are more likely to say their community had a flood than their household (53% compared to 32%). • While just over one-quarter of rural Nebraskans say their household was harmed a moderate amount or a great deal, over one-half say their community was harmed at least a moderate amount. Twenty-six percent of rural Nebraskans say their household was harmed either a moderate amount or a great deal by extreme weather events, while 57 percent report their community was harmed. And, most rural Nebraskans say their extended family and friends outside their community but living in Nebraska were both impacted by extreme weather or natural disasters at least a moderate amount. • At least three in ten rural Nebraskans reported minor or major impacts in the following areas: having to drive extra miles for shopping, damage to their house and increased levels of anxiety and stress. Just under one-half of rural Nebraskans experienced increased levels of anxiety and stress as a result of the extreme weather events in 2019. Just over three in ten had to drive extra miles for shopping or received damage to their home. Over two in ten had to drive extra miles to get to work, drove extra for health care services and had reduced household earnings or income. • Almost three in ten rural Nebraskans are concerned or very concerned about more frequent extreme rainfall events and flooding, disruptive weather patterns impacting human health and wellbeing, and changing seasonal and weather patterns. Just over one-quarter are concerned about more extreme winter temperatures and just under one-quarter are concerned about more extreme summer temperatures. Just over two in ten are concerned about more severe droughts or longer dry periods