CEDAR RAPIDS —
Three southeast Iowa cities will be a little greener this spring after receiving funding for tree-planting projects.
This spring, 23 Iowa communities and organizations will receive $90,300 through the Branching Out program thanks to Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, and Trees Forever.
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.
Three southeast Iowa communities — Eldon, Fairfield and Wayland — received grants:
• Eldon will receive $1,500 to reclaim 9 acres of green space that was formerly an industrial area. Trees will be planted to improve water quality and create a city green space.
• Fairfield will receive $3,000 to create a windbreak and sound barrier between railroad tracks and a local radio station.
• Wayland, a city of less than 1,000 in Henry County, will receive $2,000 to replace trees in its city parks.
While Ottumwa did not apply for this round of grants, Ottumwa Parks Director Gene Rathje said it’s a great program that he’s planning to apply for either this fall or next year.
Ottumwa received a Branching Out grant in 2009, when the city planted 44 trees in Wildwood Park.
“They don’t just give you trees at random,” Rathje said. “You have to send in a planning diagram and a narrative of exactly where the trees will be planted.”
The city has not applied yet this year, but Rathje said that’s because Ottumwa is still recovering from the storm that slammed the town in June.
“We’re still picking up the pieces from the storms,” Rathje said. “Next spring we’ll have more dead trees to remove, and once we get everything cleaned up and trees removed, we’ll do an assessment and figure out where to replant.”
Rathje said the city will most likely need to replant at Ottumwa Cemetery, Cedar Creek Golf Course and a few of the parks.
“It’s going to take time to get out all the old stumps and dead trees,” Rathje said.
Branching Out is offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. They provide grants between $500 and $10,000 for community-based tree-planting projects, such as parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes and schools.
Rathje said the program is only meant for tree planting in public parks and on public properties, meaning the trees removed due to the city’s ongoing sewer separation project would not be eligible for tree replacement through the Branching Out program.
“I don’t think it applies to private property,” he said.
Since Branching Out began in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted.
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 June 1 and Nov. 1 of each year.
Local News
Three southeast Iowa cities receive tree-planting project grants
Ottumwa not a recipient, but plans in place to apply for next round
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