Cities in Campbell County frequently request assistance with environmental stewardship projects, like increasing tree canopy cover along streets and in parks. Likewise, school personnel desire to engage students and help the environment by designing, planting, and maintaining pollinator gardens.

Currently, urban forest management is recognized by the U.S. Forest Service as an important issue, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicates pollinator protection as an important concern as well. And locally, the Campbell County Extension Environmental Advisory Council has identified pollinators (specifically butterfly gardens, wildflowers, and promotion of pollinators) and forestry (restoring tree canopy, urban tree management and care) as important topics.

To address these issues, the Campbell County Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Environmental Management created an Environmental Stewardship Grant program. The Campbell County Extension District Board agreed to fund up to $10,000 in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, for this program. The recipients of this grants match grant funds with in-kind support, such as time or other purchased materials. The Extension Agent provides technical support with species selection / installation instructions, and ensures the grantees comply with the grant guidelines. 

As a result of this grant, three neighborhood associations (ReNewport, Westside Citizen Coalition, and Buena Vista Historic Foundation) planted 29 street trees in Newport. Park and Tree Board members and Public Workers from Alexandria, Highland Heights, and Southgate planted 31 park trees. Teachers and students at Cline Elementary School installed a Discover Garden / Monarch Waystation at their school. The projects all provide environmental benefits and engage members of these communities. In the past two years, the Campbell County Extension District Board has returned $19,000 in grant funds to communities in the county through these grants.