MADISON, WISCONSIN – May 11, 2022 – Beloit, Keshena and Prairie du Sac are just a few of the 11 Wisconsin communities that will soon be greener because of grants from Alliant Energy’s Community Tree program, part of its One Million Trees initiative. See a full list of recipient communities below. Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. Already underway in Iowa, this is the first time the program will help Wisconsin communities plant trees.
“Alliant Energy is pleased to extend our Community Tree program to Wisconsin,” said David de Leon, president of Alliant Energy’s Wisconsin energy company. “Our commitment to supporting the communities we serve includes improving the natural environment for future generations. Our One Million Trees initiative will donate and help plant one tree for each of our utility customers by the end of 2030. The grants will help the communities announced today reach their energy-efficiency and tree-restoration goals.”
As part of the new program, Alliant Energy will award over $50,000 in grants to communities to plant over 350 new trees in Wisconsin this year. The Community Tree program is offered annually to communities where Alliant Energy provides service. Grants of up to $5,000 per community for community-based, tree-planting projects in areas like schools, libraries, community buildings and streets are considered.
In addition to the funds, communities will also receive tree-planning support from Trees Forever. Tree experts help communities select the best species for their areas and create care and maintenance plans to make sure the new trees have long and healthy lives.
Alliant Energy has partnered with Trees Forever since 1990. Together, they have awarded over $7.7 million dollars in grants and planted more than 1.1 million trees. This is the first time both organizations have worked on the Community Tree program in Wisconsin.
“We are excited to extend our long-term partnership with Alliant Energy into Wisconsin,” said Kiley Miller, president and CEO of Trees Forever. “We are working together to help communities and local volunteers plant trees through Alliant Energy’s One Million Trees initiative. These trees will clean our air, water and soil, while improving our health and providing beauty in all seasons.”
Several communities will plant their trees this spring with many more plantings planned for the fall. Alliant Energy employee volunteers will be on hand at many of the events to help plant trees. To learn more about the program, visit alliantenergy.com/onemilliontrees.
| Organization | CITY / TOWN | FUNDING | PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heartwood Tree Company, LLC | Baraboo | $5,000 | 60 trees at Devils Lake State Park |
| Town of Beloit | Beloit | $5,000 | 27 trees in McKearn Park & Fire State #2 |
| Edgerton School District | Edgerton | $3,575 | 17 trees at school for energy efficiency |
| City of Janesville | Janesville | $5,000 |
28 shade trees around buildings and partnering with Janesville Urban Tree Alliance |
| Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin | Keshena | $5,000 | Windbreak of 18 white pine trees for energy efficiency |
| City of Lodi | Lodi | $4,840 | 38 trees for energy efficiency |
| City of Mauston | Mauston | $2,302 | A diverse mix of 13 shade trees across three different sites in town, the cemetery, the dog park and around public works |
| City of Milton | Milton | $5,000 | 40 trees in King and Crossridge parks, large shade trees for windbreak and to replace Emerald Ash Borer-afflicted trees |
| Village of Oregon | Oregon | $5,000 | 20 trees on public property, replacing Emerald Ash Borer-afflicted trees |
| City of Portage | Portage | $5,000 | 27 trees along either side of E. Albert Street |
| Village of Prairie du Sac | Prairie du Sac | $4,420 | 42 trees at Culver Community Park, a destination that will host indoor and outdoor events |
About Trees Forever - Trees Forever is a nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Marion, Iowa. Its mission – to plant and care for trees and the environment by empowering people, building community, and promoting stewardship – is fulfilled through cutting-edge programs and innovative practices. Trained and experienced staff have assisted community leaders and landowners across Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and beyond with thousands of planting projects. Each year, on average, Trees Forever works with and engages more than 7,000 volunteers who give generously of their time and talents. To date, they’ve helped plant more than 3 million trees.
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.