North Hempstead Native Plant Garden Rebate $350

North Hempstead residents can receive up to $350 for planting native plant or rain gardens on their property. The Town secured funding from the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District to continue the program, which has established approximately 140 new native plant gardens over the past five years.

Native plant gardens absorb stormwater and carbon dioxide while providing food, shelter, and nesting resources for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Once established, they require minimal maintenance, need no fertilizer, and tolerate drought. The Town also renewed its commitment to the Mayors' Monarch Pledge this year, as the gardens create habitats for monarch butterflies, which federal officials have proposed listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

To qualify, residents must submit an application including proposed garden size, a plant list, photos of the planting location, and a basic layout. The Town will allocate funding on a first-come, first-served basis until October 1 or until funds are exhausted. Residents who received rebates in previous years cannot reapply until May 1, 2026.

For details and applications, visit www.northhempsteadny.gov/sustainability or call 311 or (516) 869-6311.