Tree planting is a long-standing tradition in Nebraska. The nicknake "Tree Planter State" originated with the creation of Arbor Day in Nebraska in 1872. Many organizations, groups and landowners take part in this tradition each year that protects our soil and natural resources, including Nebraska's 23 natural resources districts.

Nebraska NRDs Carry On Tree Planting Traditions

"Since our creation, NRDs have provided strong leadership in helping educate Nebraskans of all ages about the environmental benefits of planting trees and shrubs in our rural and community landscapes," says Galen Wittrock, assistant manager of the South Platte NRD. "Over the years NRDs have developed foundations and frameworks to assist landowners, including a seedling distribution system, and many landowner services including planning, site preparation, and planting. Essentially NRDs today are a one-stop shop for conservation tree and shrub establishment."

Organized tree distribution in Nebraska began as far back as 1904, when Congressman Moses P. Kinkaid passed a bill to protect Nebraska's future natural resources by authorizing free distribution of trees west of the 100th Meridian, or approximately present day Cozad. Records show that 1,977,445 trees were distributed from the USDA Forest Service's Bessey Nursery near Halsey between 1912 and 1924 to 9,298 applicants.

In 1924, the Clarke-McNary Act was passed by Congress. This act authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with various states in the "procurement, production, and distribution of forest-tree seed and plants for the purpose of establishing windbreaks, shelterbelts and farm woodlots upon denuded or non-forest lands."

The Act became an instant success. In 1926, the first year this new law affected Nebraska, 33,900 trees and shrubs were distributed to 96 landowners in 44 counties.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Nebraska's NRDs. Over the that time, NRDs have provided more than 85 million tree/shrub seedlings to Nebraska landowners. Most of these seedlings were planted for landowners by local NRD employees, either by hand or by machine. Known today as the "Conservation Trees for Nebraska" program, its efforts are coordinated by the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. Each each NRD independently managing its own conservation tree and shrub program to best benefit its local district, according to Wittrock.