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What We Do

We plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment.

We do this through tree planting, garden making, community building, and education.

  • Nance's Testimony

    When I consider what I could be proud of, nothing makes me feel better than the plants I’ve helped get planted. The trees that Bob helped me plant for my neighborhood association through a grant program. They were tiny, hopeful little things that are now becoming real trees that provide shade, shelter for wildlife and a healthier environment. Long after we’re gone, those trees will be there. How cool is that?
    -Nance Harris, Past NSA Board President

Our Impact In 2023

At the heart of our work is the mission to support communities throughout Nebraska when they have a sustainable landscaping or gardening idea, but need help accomplishing it. We work with their Green Teams to make a plan, coordinate the project and provide funding. From planting 10 free trees to multi-year green infrastructure installations, we do what it takes to Plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment. 

  • Grant Dollars Distributed

    $242,064

  • Trees Planted

    3,665

  • Plants in the Ground

    51,061

  • People Reached

    48,376

Leave the Leaves

NSA sells a "Leave the Leaves for Wildlife" sign in its online store that you can post in your yard.

It's getting to be that time of year again: as the leaves begin to blanket your yard, you might be getting itchy to rake them up.

Resist the rake -- leave the leaves!  According to Bee City U.S.A. and other environmental experts, leaves, hollow and pithy stems, brush piles, dead wood, soil and flower heads all provide important winter shelter for many invertebrates, including native bees. Here are some more benefits to leaving your leaf litter, courtesy of Bee City U.S.A.:

  • Bumble bees queens burrow an inch or two into the earth to hibernate for winter. An extra thick layer of leaves is welcome protection from the elements.
     
  • Tunnel-nesting solitary bees, such as leafcutter and mason bees, need narrow tunnels or other tiny spaces in dead wood, hollow stems, or brush piles.
     
  • Red-banded hairstreak butterflies lay their eggs on fallen oak leaves, which become the first food of the caterpillars when they emerge.
     
  • Woolly bear caterpillars tuck themselves into leaf piles for protection from cold weather.
     
  • Luna moth caterpillars spin their cocoons in leaves, which fall as trees shed their foliage and lie hidden on the ground. 

You can leave the leaves right where they are, rake them into piles or use them to mulch garden beds...just don't shred them too vigorously, as that will destroy any insect eggs or larvae that are present.

Contrary to popular belief, because they are chock-full of nutrients, including, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, leaving the leaves on your lawn can also actually help the grass,

"Those nutrients are being returned to the soil," Susan Barton, a professor and extension specialist in landscape horticulture at the University of Delaware who was recently interviewed by NPR. "But probably even more important than that, it's the organic matter. It's the fact that you've got this tissue that then eventually decomposes and improves the soil health."

However, you might want to consider thinning out the leaves, spreading them over garden beds or piling some of them up in a corner of your yard, as leaves that are layered too thickly can damage the grass over time.  

To help you communicate about the benefits of leaving the leaves (and explain to your neighbors why your yard is perhaps looking a little more unkempt than usual) we have some signage for sale in our store (pictured above). While you're there, check out our other planty merch and maybe get a jump on your holiday shopping! 

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

  • University of Nebraska logo
    University of Nebraska logo
  • NFS
    NFS
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