Trees for Tomorrow Extends Program

(October 7, 2024)

Keep Omaha Beautiful will continue the Trees for Tomorrow program, planting thousands of new trees in city parks, trails and other public spaces.

In the last five years, Keep Omaha Beautiful and its partners have planted more than 3,700 diverse trees in more than 120 locations. Planting native, underrepresented trees in public spaces was initially a response to the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle, which arrived in the Omaha metro area in 2016. The beetle decimated Omaha's public ash trees, nearly 15% of the overall canopy.

This fall, the environmental nonprofit will launch a follow-up program to expand past replanting efforts. Trees for Tomorrow is a public-private partnership of Keep Omaha Beautiful, the City of Omaha's Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Urban Planning Departments, and private donors.

"The ongoing partnership between Omaha Parks and Recreation and Keep Omaha Beautiful strengthens both of our organizations," says Matt Kalcevich, Director of City of Omaha's Parks & Recreation. "Our goal is to plant more trees around the city, and do so responsibly and sustainably. This program is another example of the great work we are doing together that will continue well into the future."

To launch the Trees for Tomorrow initiative, Keep Omaha Beautiful plant 75 trees inTa-Ha-Zouka park with volunteers from the Omaha community. The new trees represent 12 different species native to this region. Additionally, Keep Omaha Beautiful will plant 125 trees at five other public parks throughout the city, and on two Omaha Public Schools campuses.

"KOB's tree canopy improvement initiatives are focused on rebuilding and enhancing the resilience of Omaha's tree canopy," said Emily Hergenrader, KOB's Tree Program Manager. "By planting a diverse range of native species, our canopy will be better equipped to withstand our changing climate. It has become clear, especially this year, that building a stronger and more resilient tree canopy is vital for securing a healthier and more sustainable future for our city."

For more information visit https://www.keepomahabeautiful.org/what-we-do/trees-for-tomorrow.html