I am writing to you today to update you on an important bill and a Legislative Resolution currently in the Nebraska Unicameral that could dramatically impact the future work of PlantNebraska.
Information about the Bill
As you may know, the Nebraska Environmental Trust has been a vital funding partner for our work for more than 25 years. Created in 1992, the Nebraska Environmental Trust is funded by Nebraska Lottery proceeds with the intention to use a portion of these proceeds to fund initiatives that improve habitat, water quality and air quality within the state. The funds are awarded through a competitive grant process and are reviewed by the board of the Environmental Trust. Most recently, our successful grant applications have funded our Trees for Nebraska Towns and Greener Towns programs.
This year, Governor Pillen’s proposed budget includes transferring $40 million from the Environmental Trust over the next two years to help close a looming state budget shortfall and pay for previously state-funded projects. This transfer of funds would eradicate nearly all the lottery funds allocated to the Environmental Trust and would prevent the Trust from granting new funds through their competitive process.
The Environmental Trust has already alerted us that if this budget bill passes as is, the $420,000 grant we have been awarded will be retracted. This means that our Greener Towns program would effectively be eliminated.
Our Greener Towns and Trees for Nebraska Towns programs, both of which are funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, have had a lasting impact on communities large and small across the entire state. From a $98 grant that created a pollinator garden outside a soup kitchen in Valley to a $50,000 grant that improved stormwater management in downtown Valentine, these funds have made a difference in bringing smart, green solutions and purposeful beauty to thousands of Nebraskans statewide.
Over the last 10 years, PlantNebraska has used Nebraska Environmental Trust funds to complete projects in 161 towns across the state. We’ve worked in every legislative district to improve air quality, water quality, wildlife habitat and stormwater management and have continued to be good stewards of these funds. With nearly every project completed, community matches and volunteer hours more than double the impact of the original funding investment.
You can review a district-by-district breakdown of the impact and examples of our partnerships and projects across the state (you can also review all of the final reports for all Nebraska Environmental Trust grants on their website).
Information on the Legislative Resolution
At the same time there is a competing Legislative Resolution (LR298CA) that would create a Nebraska Constitutional Amendment to preserve the intent and viability of the Nebraska Environmental Trust by requiring that all grants be awarded through a competitive process and by limiting use of the Nebraska Environment Trust Fund by state agencies. In other words, state agencies would need to apply for Environmental Trust funding through a competitive grant process, thus prohibiting any transfers of funds in the future. Under this amendment, state agencies would also be required to provide a match of 50% of the funds awarded. Grant applications from nonprofits would be not be affected by the amendment.
I want you to know that PlantNebraska (and previously the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum) has always put Nebraska Environmental Trust funds to good, green use. We’re proud of the work we’ve done and of the measurable environmental impact we've had across the state. We very much want to continue this work and, if given the opportunity, are well-positioned with our partners and volunteers to plant many more trees and create many more gardens in 2026 and beyond. Given the information in this post, you may choose to educate your representative about the impact of the proposed budget bill on PlantNebraska and on the funds already awarded to us by the Environmental Trust.
Thank you, as always, for your support and for planting Nebraska with us!
In community with you,
Hanna Pinneo
Executive Director
