CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – August 7, 2012 – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, and Trees Forever announced they are awarding $90,300 to 23 Iowa communities or organizations through the Branching Out program this spring.
Branching Out is a nationally-recognized grant program through which Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and local community leaders work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community involvement in Iowa.
“Trees offer significant benefits for sustainability and energy efficiency here in Iowa, and we feel investing in trees is a good way to keep our eye on the future. We believe our investment in tree planting and education will help not only our customers but also the communities we serve,” said Tom Aller, President-IPL. “We welcome the opportunity to help Iowans become greener.”
Branching Out is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of between $500 and $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects – like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more. Trees Forever administers the program, providing technical and planning support.
Since the start of the Branching Out program in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted.
“Every Branching Out project focuses on long-term tree care with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation,” said Shannon Ramsay, founding president of Trees Forever. “Since 1989, our successful partnership with Alliant Energy has helped educate Iowans on the importance of trees and improving our environment, one community at a time.”
Branching Out grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered for funding during a spring and a fall grant-making cycle. Deadlines are on June 1 and November 1 of each year.
For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269. Applications are available online at alliantenergy.com/branchingout or treesforever.org.
Communities and projects receiving awards this fall:
| Cedar Rapids - Habitat for Humanity |
$596 |
Flood replacement trees for new Habitat and infill Habitat homes |
| Cedar Rapids - Mount Mercy University |
$5,330 |
Replacing storm damaged trees and planting 13 trees for energy efficiency and decreasing storm water runoff |
| Cedar Rapids - Uptown District |
$5,000 |
Planting trees in the Uptown District |
| Clarinda |
$1,500 |
Trees near Clarinda Regional Health Center |
| Clinton |
$5,000 |
Phase II of the second stretch of Hwy 136 extension, roughly a 1/2 mile |
| Columbus Junction |
$2,280 |
New Horse Arena at the Fairgrounds |
| Creston |
$10,000 |
Planting post-tornado to replace trees at McKinley Park & Southwestern Community College Campus |
| DeWitt |
$2,500 |
Third and Final Phase of a windbreak at the Waste Water Treatment Plant |
| Dubuque |
$4,086 |
Adding trees to a pedestrian parkway near Loras College |
| Eldon |
$1,500 |
Community is reclaiming nine acres of green space that was formerly an Industrial area. Trees being planted to improve water quality and create a city green space |
| Fairfax |
$6,700 |
New city park and sports complex |
| Fairfield |
$3,000 |
Windbreak and sound barrier between railroad tracks and local radio station |
| Hiawatha |
$7,500 |
Phase III of the North Center Point Road street tree project |
| Keystone |
$600 |
Two trees added to the city park on the west site of the shelter house |
| Lisbon |
$1,480 |
Lisbon City Park and Prairie Park |
| Marshalltown |
$6,000 |
13th Street renovation to improve entrance to State of Iowa Veterans Home |
| Mason City |
$7,430 |
Street trees along 12th Street corridor |
| Oelwein |
$1,500 |
Lions Club leading several projects including school, hiking/biking trail, a park, tennis courts and sports complex |
| Oxford Junction |
$1,200 |
Trees planted near park shelter and in a vacant downtown lot |
| Postville |
$960 |
Row of arborvitaes for a windbreak NW of the W. Greene Street business area |
| Rippey |
$500 |
Adding shade trees to a revitalized lot downtown |
| Shellsburg |
$2,515 |
Adding trees to newly developing Shellsburg Memorial Park |
| Van Horne |
$1,122 |
Planting trees at city's Rec Complex, east entrance, and City Park |
| Vinton |
$10,000 |
Street and park tree replacement from July 2011 derecho windstorms |
| Wayland |
$2,000 |
Replacing trees in city park |
Media Contact: Justin Foss, (319) 786-4788