Community Forestry Program
Through the Community Forestry program, the Lower Platte North NRD shares the cost of planting trees and shrubs on public land with communities. Eligible sites may include school grounds, parks, cemeteries, street right-of-ways, and other public ground.
Cost-share Rate
The district will pay up to 50% of the cost for an eligible project, with a maximum of $1,000 a year. Any village, town or city in the district can apply for cost-share funds.
Project Proposal
Applicants must submit a project proposal, including all of the following information. (Assistance with the project proposal is available from the NRD; contact Bob Heimann.)
Project Sponsors
The project proposal should identify the village, town or city applying for cost-share funds, including the name, address and phone number of the person coordinating the project.
Project Description
The project description should include:
- The location of the site, including photos and/or drawings, a description of the existing vegetation (including trees and shrubs), and location of utilities such as water, sewer, electrical, telephone, and cable.
- The purpose of the project; i.e aesthetic, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, windbreak, street beautification, etc.
- The requested number, size and species of trees and/or shrubs to be planted, and a plot plan showing the location of the trees.
- A schedule for implementing the project plan, including a description of the planned method of care for the trees from the time they are picked up at the nursery until they are planted, and a three-year care and maintenance schedule (if the project is within the corporate limits of a city, the project must be coordinated with and approved by the city arborist, forester, or another city official).
Cost Estimate
The cost estimate should include:
- The number and species of trees and/or shrubs to be planted, and the price per tree and/or shrub.
- The cost of planting per tree and/or shrub, and the party responsible for planting.
- The total cost of maintenance for the first three years.
- The total project costs.
Funding Sources
The funding sources portion of the proposal should include:
- The total cost of the project and the source of funds; i.e. private, in-kind labor, grants, community budget, etc.
- The amount of cost-share funds requested from the NRD.
Supplemental Information
The following supplemental information should be provided:
- Is there an existing tree board for the community?
- Has the project been approved by or coordinated with a Tree Board?
- Has a tree inventory been completed for the community?
To Apply
When a project proposal is complete, it should be sumbitted to the NRD for consideration by the Board of Directors. The board will consider requests for cost-share funding on a case-by-case basis.
More Information
For more information about the Community Forestry Program, please contact Foresty Manager Bob Heimann