Branching Out

Through Branching Out, your community can work together with Alliant Energy and Trees Forever to fund and implement tree-planting projects.

Celebrating more than two decades of plantings, Branching Out encourages energy efficiency, environmental awareness, and community stewardship in Iowa.

Planting trees provides more shade and cools the air, helping to lower energy costs and reduce peak electric demand.
The trees planted represent an energy savings of over 14 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). That’s the equivalent of removing 7,800 vehicles from Iowa roads each year.
Branching Out also helps diversify the tree population, which limits the negative impacts of pests like the Emerald Ash Borer. A diverse urban forest is the best way to ensure resiliency when faced with tree diseases and pests.

Eligibility

Branching Out is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of $1000 to $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects - like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more.

Trees Forever administers and facilitates the program, providing educational and planning support.

How to apply

To apply for a Branching Out grant, complete an application form.pdf and submit a site plan and proposal letter that addresses ten key areas (see proposal letter guidelines on the application). The process is competitive and preference is given to applicants that meet all guidelines.

Send completed applications, proposal letters and site plans to:

Trees Forever
c/o Branching Out
770 7th Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302

Grant cycles and deadlines

Grants are awarded two times per year, to coincide with the spring and fall planting seasons.

Proposal letters and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered only in the next grant-making cycle (spring or fall). Your community may apply and receive funding for multiple projects in a single grant cycle.

Grant cycle	request deadline	grants announced	funding awarded
Spring	November 1	January 15	March 1-31
Fall	June 1	August 15	September 1-30

2017 Fall Branching Out projects

community	Money awarded	planting site location
Asbury	$2,098	Windbreak and shade trees along north edge of Cloie Creek Park
Atlantic	$2,500	25 trees throughout town to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Atlantic Trees Forever
Atlantic	$2,000	Partnership for Progress, a mental health facility
Burlington	$5,472	Street trees in the public right of way
Cedar Rapids	$7,500	Phase 1 of street tree planting in Bowman Lane Neighborhood replacing ash
Cedar Rapids	$3,000	Street trees to south and east sides of the Kingston Village apartments
Cedar Rapids	$3,375	Shade trees, evergreens, and fruit trees at Water Pollution Control Facility
Clinton	$4,557	4th phase of planting street trees along 19th Avenue N/NW
Creston	$9,975	High Lakes Outdoor Alliance Shooting Range, Greater Regional Hospital Campus, McKinley Park, and Creston City Waterworks
Decorah	$4,000	Street trees in the areas of the city that were hit hardest by the recent windstorm and/or where ash have been removed affected by EAB
DeWitt	$6,364	Planting along a new half mile paved trail to connect to the south part of the town to the existing trail at the 100 acre Westbrook Park
Drakesville	$1,194	Davis County Freedom Rock
Fairfield	$10,000	North Campus Village housing development on the northern edge of Fairfield- planting at entrance, along streets, and in park areas
Fairfield	$2,725	North entryway along State Highway 1
Fort Madison	$4,150	Newly developed 1812 Battlefield-Memorial Park
George	$2,416	Windbreak plantings at new Industrial Park along trail
Hiawatha	$4,050	Replacement trees at Boyson & Center Point Road intersections, also the Hiawatha water tower
Lansing	$2,354	Street trees along Main Street
Marion	$7,040	Street trees along Tower Terrace Road, adjacent to the high school
Marshalltown	$2,060	Four city parks
Mason City	$9,720	Street trees in south part of town, along the 500-800 blocks of S Washington, S Adams and S Jefferson avenues and the 100-200 blocks of 6th-8th Street SW
Massena	$1,928	Heritage Park on Main Street
Rudd	$2,040	Rudd Lake Park
Scranton	$1,010	Adding trees to City park which is being updated
Storm Lake	$9,625	Seneca & Spooner Streets (residential), Abner Bell Wetland Project (educational site) and Bargloff Addition (industrial area)
Villisca	$2,974	Enarson School, Villisca City Park, and 5th Street
Washington	$3,500	Phase 1 of W 5th St. entryway
West Burlington	$9,930	Southeastern Community College campus

Questions?

Trees Forever staff members are available to help you complete applications, develop a planting project, and plan a planting event.

1-800-369-1269, ext. 110

“Trees Forever has for years partnered with the City of Clinton in our projects which have enhanced our way of life in one way or another. Thanks to Trees Forever and Alliant Energy for doing what you do best: making Clinton more beautiful.”

LaMetta K. Wynn, Mayor, City of Clinton

“Every Branching Out project focuses on long-term tree care with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation. We are pleased to continue a long-term partnership with Alliant Energy in a combined effort to educate Iowans on the importance of trees, and improve our environment one community at a time.”

Shannon Ramsay, president and CEO of Trees Forever

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