Natural Climate Solutions

Conserve Water at Home

Taking steps to be water-wise and conserve water indoors and outdoors can positively impact our community.

• Check out these 12 practical tips to keep your lawn green while conserving water.
• Planting Southeast Nebraska waterwise plants, or plants with low water needs, also helps protect water resources. Watch these five short videos on making a more waterwise landscape, created by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as part of an initiative funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the Nebraska Department of Energy.
• Did you know that on average, a Lincoln family of four uses 300 to 400 gallons of water each day? Follow these basic tips for indoor water conservation, targeting the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.

Nurture Trees

Trees provide essential services, such as oxygen production and shading structures from heat and other weather. Having a diversity of trees also benefits the huge variety of species that depend on them.

• Support Lincoln's public tree canopy through the Two for Trees Program. Customers of the Lincoln Water System (LWS) can voluntarily add $2 to their bill payment for funding support of public trees in our community forest. The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department will manage and direct the additional funds to planting new trees along streets and in parks.
• The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department offers the Street Tree Voucher Program to property occupants in Lincoln who desire to purchase and plant a street tree(s) on the City right-of-way adjacent to their property. After the approval process, homeowners will receive a no-fee street tree planting permit and voucher, which is redeemable with a participating tree nursery for a specified street tree.
• The City of Lincoln received grant funding from the Nebraska Forest Service to help low- to moderate-income homeowners pay for the removal of dead or dying trees and plant new trees at no cost. For more information and to see if you qualify, visit the Ash Tree Removal and Replanting Program website.
• The Adopt-an-Ash Program allows residents to adopt an ash street tree in the public right-of-way by providing ongoing chemical treatment to minimize damage by Emerald Ash Borer. Street trees must meet specific eligibility criteria and an application is required.