News : Alliant Energy and Trees Forever support tree-planting projects in Vinton area

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 spring:

Cedar Rapids - Habitat for Humanity $596

Flood replacement trees for new Habitat homes and infill Habitat homes

Cedar Rapids- Mt. Mercy $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 street 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 side of the shelter house

Lisbon $1,480

Lisbon City Park and Prairie Park planting

Marshalltown $6,000

13th Street renovation to improve entrance to the State of Iowa Veterans Home

Mason City $7,430

Street trees along on 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 St. 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 parks

Trees Forever is a nonprofit organization with a mission to plant and care for trees and the environment. Trees Forever has involved over 150,000 volunteers in projects that improve air and water quality, increase wildlife habitat, provide substantial energy savings and beautify our landscape.

Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, provides electric service to 525,000 customers and natural gas service to 233,000 customers in more than 700 communities throughout Iowa and southern Minnesota. IPL is committed to providing the energy and exceptional service its customers and communities expect – safely, reliably, and affordably. IPL is a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, for more information, visit alliantenergy.com or call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).