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. 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 of this program is to improve Nebraska’s community forest canopy by:
- 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 storm water 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 eligible areas as designated on the Nebraska Forest Service map AND be a public tree project on:
- Streets or trails (ROW)
- City parks
- Schools or colleges
- Libraries, courthouses
- Cemeteries, fairgrounds
- Tribal grounds
- 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 and/or train residents of an eligible community.
RESOURCES
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for the Urban and Community Forestry grant funds are now open. The application period will remain open until all funding has been allocated (see review and award dates below). Click the button below to begin the online application process (note: An account is required to view and complete an application. Use the "Create New Account" button to create a free account).
QUESTIONS?
Contact PlantNebraska Executive Director Hanna Pinneo at 402-472-2945 or hpinneo2@unl.edu.
A NOTE ABOUT FEDERAL FUNDING
This grant is funded through a federal grant from the US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service. We have a signed grant agreement through UNL to complete our objectives of tree planting, removal, care, and workforce development over the next five years for a total of $10 million ($8 million going directly to on-the-ground projects). At this time, we have not received a stop work order from our federal partners. If we do receive a stop work order, we will update the information on this webpage. (Last updated 8/25/2025)
