Midland University was recently awarded a $21,265 Community Forestry Infrastructure grant from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA). The grant was part of $10 million in grant funds awarded to NSA in 2024 by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program.

The goal of the grant program is to improve Nebraska’s community forestry infrastructure by supporting tree removal, care and planting to preserve tree canopy cover; protecting, enhancing and increasing access to watersheds in urban and development areas by focusing on conserving and managing community forests and green stormwater infrastructure; and improving workforce development in the tree care industry by providing pathways for high school students, creating job training programs and connecting newly trained professionals with local tree care companies.

Midland will use the grant funds to enhance the campus landscape through a variety of tree care and planting efforts. These include the removal of trees damaged during the March blizzard,, pruning to support tree health, safety, and appearance, and the planting of new trees to expand and enrich the university’s green spaces. These efforts will directly benefit the Midland University Heritage Arboretum, which is an accredited site within the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum’s network of more than 100 arboretums and public gardens.

“We are so pleased to be able to award this grant to Midland University, which will profoundly impact the well-being of residents in Fremont,” said Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Executive Director Hanna Pinneo. “This significant investment will yield important, long-term results. We are proud to partner with Midland University to support a greener future.”

Dawn Osness, Administrative Coordinator for the Dunklau School of Business, has written previous grants that have helped Midland add pollinator plants and trees across campus.

“We are incredibly grateful to receive these grant funds, which will allow us to care for the trees that make our campus such a beautiful and welcoming place,” Osness said. “Preserving and enhancing our campus green spaces isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating a healthy, sustainable environment for our students, faculty, staff, and community to enjoy for generations to come.”