Greener Towns Program
Ready to change your community? We can help. The Greener Towns Program provides funding, resources and education opportunities to help Nebraska communities improve and protect their green spaces. Green spaces (also called green infrastructure) are the living complement to the built environment in our cities and towns (roads, buildings, utilities). Through Green Infrastructure, we utilize plants to keep a community healthy and vibrant. Learn more about how green infrastructure is a part of vibrant, healthy communities in Nebraska.
Greener Towns Landscapes improve property values, provide energy savings (heating & cooling), create recreation opportunities, and improve air quality. All furthering NSA's mission to plant Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities, and a resilient environment.
OUR FOCUSES
- Native and well-adapted plants that offer many benefits as well as create a sense of place and pride in our Nebraska landscapes.
- Trees shade and shelter us, mute noise pollution, reduce energy use, offer year-round beauty, and more.
- Water is essential. We need to conserve irrigation, protect rainwater and reduce waste.
- Biodiversity is a cornerstone of any healthy ecosystem by supporting insects and birds while providing resilience to pests and disease.
- Learn more
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Nebraska community groups that need $300-$5,000 to improve their public landscapes like streets, trails, parks, campuses, schools, and fairgrounds are encouraged to apply for Greener Towns. Funding is awarded competitively to the financial sponsor of the project. Projects must be a benefit to the community; we cannot award funds to projects on private property or for home landscapes.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Letters of Intent (LOI) will be accepted through January 25, 2026 and will be evaluated on the timeline below.
Awarded projects may begin after signing a Project Agreement. No expenses accrued or labor performed before signing a Project Agreement may be counted toward the funding budget.
All physical work must be complete by May 20, 2026, unless an extension is granted in writing. Projects cannot be extended beyond June 15.
Reporting Deadline: June 17, 2026.
ALLOWABLE EXPENSES & PAYMENTS
Greener Towns funds can be used to pay for plants, mulch and soil amendments. Grant funds are paid directly to vendors on behalf of the project sponsor.
MATCH REQUIREMENTS
Greener Towns funding must be matched 1:1 by the project sponsor (for every $1 Greener Towns supplies, the project sponsor must supply $1).
- Projects receiving up to $1,000 in funding may count volunteer hours and donated goods or services toward 100% of their match.
- Projects receiving over $1,000 in Greener Towns funds may count volunteer hours and donated goods or services toward 50% of their match; the remaining 50% must be in paid expenses. Volunteer hours are valued at $23.56/hour for adults and $10/hour for youth under 18.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Download the Greener Towns Application Guide. The guide includes a preview of the Letter of Intent and Application forms, details on the program requirements, qualifying expenses and program timeline.
Step 2: Download the Greener Towns Budget Table Template before beginning your application. Budgets must be submitted using this template.
Step 3: Ready to apply? Begin with your Letter of Intent (LOI).
First-time users will need to create an account. If you have used our grant portal to apply for Urban and Community Forestry funding, you may use the same login information.
Interested in Greener Towns funding but have questions? Contact Sarah Buckley at sarah.buckley@unl.edu or schedule a 30 minute Zoom call to discuss your project.
Not quite ready to start? Sign up for grant alerts to be reminded of future deadlines.
Our Partners
Greener Towns is a program of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and is funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
