FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR TREE PLANTING, CARE AND REMOVALS
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum was awarded $10 million in 2024 by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Funds will be distributed through competitive grant processes to improve Nebraska’s community forestry infrastructure through tree care, removal, planting and forestry workforce development.
The goal for this program is to improve Nebraska’s community forestry infrastructure in disadvantaged communities, including:
• Removing, caring for and planting trees to preserve the tree canopy cover.
• Protecting, enhancing and increasing access to watersheds in urban and developing areas with a focus on conserving and managing forest patches and green stormwater infrastructure.
• Improving workforce development in the tree care industry by providing pathways for high school students, creating job training programs and connecting newly trained professionals with local tree care companies.
ABOUT URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY
Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) encompasses the trees and forest resources of any defined community. For instance, trees on both public and private land throughout a town or city are considered a community forest. This grant program is not limited by the population size of the community, and all who are eligible are encouraged to apply
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Nebraska cities, villages, towns, counties, tribal governments or Natural Resource Districts, school districts, public schools and 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations performing projects in Nebraska. Individuals and businesses are not eligible.
Project locations must be within a Disadvantaged Community as found on the Nebraska forest Service IRA map AND be a public tree project on:
• Streets or trails (ROW)
• City parks
• Schools or colleges
• Libraries, courthouses
• Cemeteries, fairgrounds
• Other public places
NOT ELIGIBLE: gated properties, private businesses, projects outside Nebraska, projects on federal lands.
Private residential tree removal or tree planting may be done as part of an overall community strategy to improve tree canopy. However, funds will not be awarded to and cannot be used to directly pay private landowners.
Workforce development elements of any project must benefit a disadvantaged community and/or train residents of a disadvantaged community.
HOW TO APPLY
The application process will open in October 2024 (date TBA). We will open applications on a rolling 90-day basis as long as funding remains available. To receive an email alert when applications open, please sign up by clicking the button below.
QUESTIONS?
Western Nebraska communities: contact Chrissy Land, Western Nebraska Community Forester, (531) 510-1932; chrissyland@unl.edu.
Eastern Nebraska communities: contact Justin Evertson, Green Infrastructure Coordinator, (402)472-6604; jevertson1@unl.edu.
SIGN UP FOR INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR—NOVEMBER 12
We will offer an informational webinar on November 12 at 12:30 CT. The webinar will be recorded, and a link to the recorded session will be emailed to all registrants following the live webinar. The recording will also be available on this webpage. Click the button below to sign up for the November 12 webinar.
