Great for Windbreaks, Wildlife Habit, and Living Snow Fences
The Papio NRD is accepting orders for tree and shrub seedlings.
Through the Conservation Tree Program, homeowners, acreage owners, producers, and operators can purchase bare-root seedlings for $30/bundle plus tax. There are 25 seedlings of the same species per bundle. Multiple species are available. There are also two “variety” bundles available to order which include five different species in a bundle of 20 seedlings for $30 plus tax.
Papio NRD crews planting tree seedlings.
The seedlings are ideal for windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and living snow fences designed to reduce blowing and drifting snow. Many tree/shrub projects are eligible for Papio NRD cost share which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Orders will be accepted through February 21st, 2025.
For more information, or to receive an order form with the species list, please contact one of our Field Office representatives in your county:
Washington, Douglas & Sarpy counties: Kalani Fortina at 402-426-4782 ext. 3 Burt County: Deb Ward at 402-374-1920 ext. 3 Thurston County: Tamara Tipton at 402-846-5655 Dakota County: Mahkenna Koinzan at 402-494-4949
Several crabapple trees recently found a new home and the crew that planted them in the heat and among blood-thirsty mosquitoes was anything but crabby.
“We’ve been taking out more trees than we’ve been able to replace and when we saw that we were able to get some, we tried to get in with the grant program,” said Westover.
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park applied for trees through Papio NRD’s Celebrate Trees Grant Program. The grant was approved, and the park received 21 trees, enabling it to replant native trees, complete a fruit orchard, and provide shade for park visitors.
Michael Westover & Jesse Lautrup of Fort Atkinson State Historical Park.
Crabapple tree received through Papio NRD Celebrate Trees Grant Program.
The Celebrate Trees Grant Program provides funding for tree planting on public land for community benefit, such as parks, cemeteries, tribal lands, libraries, and villages within the six counties of the Papio NRD (Sarpy, Douglas, Washington, Burt, Thurston, and Dakota).
“It’s a great program to take advantage of due to the value trees bring to a community and to help offset the increasing cost of trees,” said Terry Schumacher, land and water programs coordinator for the Papio NRD.
“Grants are awarded a maximum of $2,500 or $250 per tree and matching funds are not required,” said Schumacher. “The applications are funded using a ranking system that places higher emphasis on public parks and the replacement of diseased or storm-damaged trees.”
Schumacher says those who apply should plan to do mulching, staking, watering, and other care to ensure a successful planting.
Westover says the park will definitely apply for future grants and encourages others who are eligible to do the same.
“We just want to say thank you,” said Westover. “This was an amazing thing we could do. Every time we have to cut down more trees, it just kind of hurts, so that fact that we were able to bring in more trees and give this kind of beautification to our park, it’s just great.”
Applications can be submitted for the Celebrate Trees Grant Program November through February. If you’d like more information, please contact Kalani Fortina (402) 426-4782 ext. 3 or Kalani.Fortina@usda.gov.
Papio NRD staff planting a windbreak in Washington County.
Landowners – it’s tree/shrub seedling time!
The Papio NRD is accepting orders for tree/shrub seedlings now through February 23rd. The seedlings are perfect for windbreaks or wildlife habitat planting.
Through the Papio NRD tree program, landowners purchase bare-root seedlings for $29/bundle plus tax. There are 25 seedlings of the same species per bundle. Multiple species are available.
Cost-share funding is available which makes the total out-of-pocket cost minimal to you.
For more information, please contact one of our Field Office representatives in your county:
Washington, Douglas & Sarpy counties: Kalani Fortina at 402-426-4782 ext. 3 Burt County: Deb Ward at 402-374-1920 ext. 3 Thurston County: Tamara Tipton at 402-846-5655 Dakota County: Mahkenna Koinzan at 402-494-4949
Spruce trees planted at Veteran’s Park in Papillion through the Papio NRD’s Celebrate Trees Grant Program.
Applications are open for the Papio NRD’s Celebrate Trees Grant Program. The program provides funding for tree planting on public land for community benefit. Parks, cemeteries, tribal lands, libraries, and villages within the six counties of the Papio NRD are encouraged to apply.
Grants are awarded a maximum of $2,500 or $250 per tree. Matching funds are not required, but applicants should plan to do mulching, staking, watering, and other care to ensure a successful planting.
Applications are funded using a ranking system that places a higher emphasis on public parks and the replacement of diseased and storm-damaged trees.
The deadline to submit applications is February 15, 2024. Please contact Kalani Fortina (402) 426-4782 ext. 3 or Kalani.Fortina@usda.gov for more information.
