SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A new neighborhood group’s first project will be to tackle the emerald ash borer problem in the community.
The Kingswood Neighborhood Association was formed in January. It has already received a grant to help reforest the neighborhood after it was hit hard by the emerald ash borer,
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“This year is just the beginning of hopefully reforesting a little bit of Kingswood because we did lose quite a few trees between both the boulevard trees,” said Ellen Doerr, who heads Kingswood Neighborhood in Sioux Falls.
Ash trees cut down in the Kingswood neighborhoodAsh trees cut down in the Kingswood neighborhoodAsh trees cut down in the Kingswood neighborhoodAsh trees cut down in the Kingswood neighborhood
The grant provides funding to replace ash trees that had to be cut down from the emerald ash borer beetles. It does not provide funding for ash tree removal.
“We have had some neighbors that have had to take out trees from their backyards and things, they can apply for new trees in their yard, and even in the backyard through the grant,” Doerr said.
The grant total from the city is $4,000, which covers the cost of 24 trees. The Boulevard Ash Borer replacement program was started a few years ago to help reforest areas that were heavily impacted by the beetles.
One of the benefits of tackling the emerald ash borer issue through the association rather than individually is being able to get this grant.
“Neighbors can pay $40 towards their tree, and the grant picks up about $160 of the cost,” Doerr added. “Our neighbors are still responsible for planting the trees and taking care of them, but really that’s quite a steep discount compared to just going in and getting a tree from the nursery yourself.”
If the interest in the neighborhood grows, the association can apply for the grant again next year.
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“If we want to concentrate on one specific part of the neighborhood that maybe lost more trees than another, we could say ‘Hey, we really wanna plan to plant a lot this year,’ and actually work that into our future grant funds,” Doerr said.
The Kingswood Neighborhood Association spans an area from east of Sertoma Ave to Interstate 29 and between 41st and 26th Street.
According to KELOLAND News reporting from April 2024, the City of Sioux Falls removed over 6,000 ash trees. This number only accounts for ash trees that stood on city property, including parks and public boulevards.
