25-WORD DESCRIPTION:
We Plant Nebraska for Healthy People, Vibrant Communities, and a Resilient Environment. We do this through tree planting, garden making, environmental education, and community building.
HOW WE USE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS:
- $10 per month pays for a pollinator garden to be planted at a school. ($120)
- $25 per month pays for a new tree in a neighborhood. ($300)
- $50 per month pays for a community tree nursery. ($600)
A STORY FROM OUR AGENCY:
Gothenburg, Nebraska, is a place where rich history, vibrant community, economic prosperity and quality of life matter. Like many communities, however, Gothenburg’s tree canopy has declined in recent years, leaving public parks and neighborhoods increasingly barren and less inviting.
A grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum enabled Gothenburg to plant a total of 40 trees along residential streets, in city parks, on the public schools campus and at a newly opened Impact Center for children and families.
As they mature, the trees planted will help to lower homeowners’ energy costs, improve air quality, and bring much-needed shade to neighborhoods. The additional trees planted on the Gothenburg Public Schools campus and on the grounds of the Impact Center will bring greenery, shade and beauty to what was previously a stark landscape. “These plantings doubled the number of trees on the school campus,” said Gothenburg tree board member and local business owner Jeff Kennedy. “It was pretty bleak out there.”
Students pitched in at the school planting, and a public event allowed children and staff at the Impact Center to participate in the planting and learn about the benefits trees bring to communities and people.
“The kids and teachers were excited to see trees being planted at the school and the Impact Center,” said Gothenburg Parks Director Noah Dea. “Hearing all the positive feedback from community members about this project has been extremely rewarding. People are very thankful for the tree grant funding.”
“We have a list of 20 more homeowners and local businesses that are interested in getting a tree,” said Kennedy. “There’s a lot of interest in and gratitude for this.”
ADDRESS/PHONE:
UNL Keim Hall 102
1825 N 38th St
P.O. Box 830964
Lincoln, NE 68583-0964
402-472-2971
