News : Fall 2011 Branching Out grant recipients announced

Fall 2011 Branching Out grant recipients announced

Alliant Energy and Trees Forever support 31 tree-planting projects in Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – September 15, 2011 – Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, and Trees Forever announced the spring 2011 Branching Out grant recipients. Twenty-five Iowa communities will receive $104,606 in funding for tree planting projects.

Branching Out is a nationally-recognized program which brings Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, and community leaders together to complete locally-led tree-planting projects. The program encourages energy efficiency, environmental awareness, and community involvement in Iowa. Alliant Energy provides funding for project grants to participating communities, and Trees Forever staff members provide project assistance and technical resources to the local volunteers.

“Energy efficiency and sustainability are important and we believe our investment in tree planting and education will help our customers learn about the benefits of trees,” said Tom Aller, president of IPL.

The Branching Out program is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. Branching Out supports community-based, tree-planting projects with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Typical projects take place at parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools, and more.

For the last 20 years, Alliant Energy has partnered with Trees Forever to educate Iowans on the importance of trees and the energy-saving benefits they provide. Since starting in 1990, volunteers have planted more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings across Iowa through the Branching Out program.

“Every Branching Out project focuses on long-term tree care with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation,” said Shannon Ramsay, president and CEO of Trees Forever. “We are pleased to continue our partnership spanning more than two decades with Alliant Energy in a combined effort to educate Iowans on the importance of trees and to improve 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 two grant-making cycles (spring and fall). The next application deadline is November 1, 2011. Spring 2012 grant recipients will be announced in January.

For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269. Applications are available online at alliantenergy.com/branchingout or treesforever.org.

The following communities and projects received grants in the second and final round of 2011 funding:

Ames

$3,000

Frankville

$875

Asbury

$2,200

Hiawatha

$8,550

Atlantic

$6,000

Huxley

$2,300

Bancroft

$700

Keystone /

entrance sign

$1,100

Blairstown

$1,590

Keystone /

elementary school

$525

Calmar

$2,000

Linn County Conservation

$5,250

Cedar Rapids /

Riverfront Amphitheater

$10,000

Marion Thomas Park

$4,725

Cedar Rapids /

Foundation 2 youth shelter

$2,200

Mason City /

East Park and Elmwood/St. Joseph Cemetery

$3,195

Cedar Rapids /

Habitat for Humanity homes

$1,413

Mason City / Four Oaks

$2,775

Cedar Rapids /

Linn County Options Building

$7,015

Muscatine

$2,750

Cedar Rapids /

Twin Pines golf course

$5,000

Packwood

$2,500

Clinton

$3,500

Redfield

$3,155

Creston

$9,815

Sibley

$3,703

Decorah

$1,500

Stratford

$1,600

DeWitt

$1,650

Washington

$2,000

Dundee

$2,020