In July 2012, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) was awarded a $59,876 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Urban Waters Small Grant program. The grant work sought to address challenges in Omaha, Nebraska caused by stormwater runoff through community engagement and the development of new technologies.
UNL has partnered with the Omaha Stormwater Program to develop educational programs and mobile applications that inform local residents about stormwater issues and green infrastructure solutions.
The University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) Urban Waters Project had three main goals:
- Increase local and regional scientific evidence on environmentally beneficial and cost‐effective stormwater management practices.
- Develop strategies for improving the quality of urban water.
- Improve effectiveness in disseminating information to selected neighborhoods in Omaha.
In 2016, UNL received a second grant from the Urban Waters Small Grant Program
Project Partners
A research and education team from the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln obtained funding for the project, and they worked closely with stormwater management personnel from the City of Omaha Stormwater Program to successfully accomplish the project goals.
Who will benefit from this project?
The first grant focused on three neighborhoods in Omaha, including Saddle Hills, TV Towers, and Benson. The project team will be coordinated with neighborhood residents through June 2014 to provide educational programs on the use of neighborhood landscapes to help protect, clean and utilize stormwater. There were workshops on topics such as rain gardens and rain barrel design and construction, and activities such as tours of stormwater projects in other neighborhoods in Omaha.