By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
Listen to the full interview with Barb Jeffres and Drew Krab on our Kubota Podcast page.
OGALLALA, Neb. — The Ogallala Tree Board is working to make the city greener and healthier, with a bold goal of doubling Ogallala’s tree canopy by 2034.
“The Ogallala Tree Board has been around for decades,” said Barb Jeffres. “Our big audacious goal is to double the canopy of the city by 2034. We’re trying to do that through educating the public about the importance of trees, searching for additional funding through grants, doing a lot of public planting, and promoting our memorial and honorary tree program.”
One of the board’s most popular initiatives is its tree rebate program, which provides residents with a $150 rebate to help offset the cost of planting a tree. The program also includes guidance on which tree types grow best in Ogallala’s climate. Since last fall, 21 trees have been planted through the rebate program.
“We assist with what kind of trees grow well around here and where they should be planted,” said Drew Krab, Tree Board memebr. “If someone is struggling or just doesn’t know what to do, they can reach out to us, and we’ll help them determine which tree may work best.”
Residents can choose from hardy varieties such as American elm hybrids, burr oaks, honey locusts, Kentucky coffee trees, and northern catalpas. Proper care is key: board members recommend watering newly planted trees regularly, even during winter months, to help roots establish and thrive.
The board also received a grant from Plant Nebraska (formerly the Nebraska State Arboretum) for tree removal and replacement.
“We took down 16 trees this summer and fall that were diseased or unsafe and planted new trees in their place,” Jeffres said. “Homeowners were able to have the tree removed and replaced for $100, and we guided them on the best tree to plant.”
Community involvement is central to the board’s mission.
Jeffres said, “We’ve tried to get kids involved in planting trees over the last five years. From schools to hospitals, children can participate and see the impact of their work over time.”
The board meets monthly on the second Monday at the Kathleen Lute Library, welcoming residents who want to learn more, volunteer, or suggest new projects. With around 30 trees planned for the next spring planting season, Ogallala residents have many opportunities to help grow a healthier, more vibrant community.