Get Involved

(Photo courtesy of Nebraska Tourism Commission │ visitnebraska.com)

What’s Happening Now

The Lincoln Parks Foundation is leading an effort to coordinate community involvement in the Prairie Corridor project.

The Parks Foundation has convened a group of nineteen community leaders who share the vision for the Haines Branch Prairie Corridor project. This Prairie Corridor Cabinet includes business people, community volunteers, philanthropists, and others. The Cabinet will assist in fundraising, community engagement, and other aspects of the project as it moves forward. Nationally-recognized conservationist and photographer Michael Forsberg and former Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler co-chair the Cabinet, and a list of all the Cabinet members can be found here.

In 2019, the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department was awarded its third $900,000 grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the project. In addition, the partnership has contributed significant cash and in-kind matching funds to the project, which brings the current total of committed funding to $7 million.

These resources are being used for early implementation steps in the project. However, additional support is needed to implement future phases and fully realize the vision. Support can be given in the form of individual donations, volunteer time, planned giving, or becoming a landowner partner in the Corridor.

Volunteer Opportunities

For those who would like to give of their time, there are many volunteer opportunities. Community members can get involved by volunteering in education, habitat development or land management for the Pioneers Park Nature Center, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, or other points along the Corridor. Call Lincoln Parks and Recreation at 402-441-7847 or email prairiecorridor@lincoln.ne.gov.

Donate

Financial contributions can assist in fully establishing the Prairie Corridor, or can be directed toward an endowment to generate income that will provide for protection and care of the Prairie Corridor for generations to come.

Donate

Planned Giving

Your planned gift can leave a legacy for the Lincoln area by supporting a natural resource icon in Lincoln and Lancaster County that will be enjoyed by future generations to come. A planned gift is any major gift, made in lifetime or at death as part of a donor’s overall financial and/or estate planning. View this Planned Giving Information for the Prairie Corridor, or contact Lincoln Parks and Recreation at 441-7847 or prairiecorridor@lincoln.ne.gov for more information about options.

Land Owners

As a land owner in the Prairie Corridor area you have a unique opportunity to participate directly in the preservation and enhancement of this wonderful resource. Land owners participate voluntarily by donation or sale of their property, participation in conservation easements, or simply by enhancing the prairie resources on their own land. If you are interested in becoming part of this project and preserving your land for future generations, contact Lincoln Parks and Recreation at 441-7847 or by email at prairiecorridor@lincoln.ne.gov.