Tree Seedlings Available to Order

 

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

Applications Open for Papio NRD’s 2024 Celebrate Trees Grant Program

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.

Cover Crop Roller Crimper Now Available to Farmers

A roller crimper, an alternative mechanical method to terminate cover crops without herbicides, is now available for farmers in and around Washington County. By crimping cover crops and rolling them over like a blanket on a field, it can improve weed suppression and reduce moisture evaporation from the soil.

Grant funding from the EPA, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and the Papio NRD for practices relating to water quality improvements enabled the recent acquisition of the roller crimper.

It’s available to local farmers for use at a low cost of $1/acre (to address routine maintenance). Farmers who may be hesitant about this practice are encouraged to try it on a few acres initially to make their own judgement and consider it a potential future investment.

To learn more about the roller crimper and cost-share on eligible conservation practices, contact Armando Zarco with the Papio NRD at 402-350-3695 or azarco@papionrd.org.

To schedule the roller crimper, contact Phil Kempcke at 402-533-3122 or Nate Kempcke at 402-278-0584 with Kempcke Seeds in Blair.

 

 

Conservation Ag Open House

A great opportunity for area landowners to learn about practices and programs to conserve natural resources from a variety of conservation partners. Free food and drinks, too!

The event is coordinated by the Papio NRD in association with the Papillion Creek Watershed Enhanced Water Quality Practices Program.

 

 

Cost Share Programs for FY 2025

Urban Drainageway Program, Hell Creek Channel Restoration Project

The Papio NRD has nine (9) cost share programs available to assist government agencies to conserve and protect natural resources for people in our communities.

Please see the annual letter which includes a description of each program, program guidelines, and application forms.

The deadline for applications under all programs is March 22, 2024.

For more information, please call (402) 444-6222 or email ewilliams@papionrd.org.

Applications Open for 2022 Celebrate Trees Program

 

Juniper trees planted in 2021 at Pioneer Park in Fort Calhoun through the Celebrate Trees Grant Program.

Applications are open for the 2022 Celebrate Trees grant program administered by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD). The program provides funding for tree planting on public land.

Parks, cemeteries, tribal lands, schools, libraries, villages, and cities within Papio NRD are encouraged to apply. Grants are awarded a maximum of $2,500 or $250.00/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 15th, 2022.

Please contact Kalani Fortina (402) 426-4782 ext. 101 or Kalani.Fortina@usda.gov for more information.

 

Increasing Safety of Rural Intersections Through Conservation Efforts

Rural intersections can be dangerous when tall crops obstruct the view of approaching traffic. The Papio NRD is proud to be a partner in the Pollinator Safety Corners program that offers landowners incentives to plant new habitat at rural intersections, such as a diverse mix of short grasses and wildflowers, to help provide an adequate sight distance at intersections.

Through the 319 Grant Program, a new incentives program for farmstead improvements and agricultural enhancements, landowners within the Papillion Creek Watershed who participate in the Pollinator Safety Corners program receive an annual $350 per acre for each year of the 5-year contract.

Kyle Madsen, watershed coordinator for the Papio NRD says he sees the Pollinators Safety Corners program to be a win-win for farmers and the community by increasing safety through conservation efforts.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program can contact Madsen at kmadsen@papionrd.org or 402-350-3695.

Please see flyers below for program details and guidelines.

Safety Corners Program Guidelines

Papio-NRD-Corners-Flyer

Top