By Scout Nelson
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum has rolled out a new initiative aimed at enriching the green spaces across Nebraska communities. This pilot program, funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, is designed to assist towns in developing their community nurseries by providing young trees and necessary supplies. The initiative has been embraced by communities such as Beatrice, Eustis, Valley, and Crete.
Hanna Pinneo, the executive director of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, highlights the importance of this program, especially considering rising tree costs and the financial burden of replacing diseased or dead trees.
“Especially for our small communities, they really have to decide where they’re going to invest limited funds,” Pinneo explained. She stressed the value of replanting trees for the overall viability of communities, including benefits like shade and stormwater management.
The program's practical implementation can be seen at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice, which now hosts a nursery with over 30 young trees. These trees, once mature, are destined for various public locations including the cemetery itself, Beatrice High School, and potentially local city parks.
Chad Kleveland, sexton at the Evergreen Home Cemetery, shared how the program allows them to build a sustainable tree stock, thereby enhancing species diversity and reducing vulnerability to diseases and pests. “You’ve got 120 trees all the same age and all the same kind, where if we get different trees, hopefully it will prevent that in the future,” he noted.
Graham Herbst, a community forester specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service and the program coordinator, ensured the selected tree species were well-suited to each community’s unique environmental conditions. This careful selection aims to promote biodiversity and adaptability to local climates and soil conditions.
The program also serves an educational purpose. Colton Husa, a teacher at Beatrice High School, expressed excitement about using the nursery as a real-world teaching tool for students, emphasizing the dual benefits of beautification and education.
This initiative by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum not only supports the ecological health of communities but also fosters a collaborative spirit among local institutions, setting a sustainable course for future green initiatives.'
Photo Credits:pexels-mayukh-karmakar
Categories: Nebraska, Education, General