The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA, plantnebraska.org) was recently awarded a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to strengthen Nebraska’s urban forest infrastructure in disadvantaged communities across Nebraska. NSA will do this through tree planting, tree maintenance and removal and workforce development in both urban and rural areas of the state.
NSA will serve as a “pass-through” administrator of the $10 million grant by creating competitive sub-award programs under its current granting structure to accomplish the objectives over the five-year grant period. One hundred percent of the urban forest infrastructure work that will take place with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant funds will align with the Justice40 initiative, which aims to bring resources to disadvantaged communities most impacted by climate change, pollution and environmental hazards.
Programs will include tree removal, including ash trees infected with emerald ash borer, in both private and public landscapes; tree plantings to mitigate urban heat island effect in communities that qualify for grant funding; and the implementation of workforce training programs to increase the number of certified arborists and other tree care professionals in the state.
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1978 that plants Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment. To learn more, visit plantnebraska.org or contact the Arboretum staff at (402) 472-2971 / arboretum@unl.edu.