Power of Trees

For 20 years, Trees Forever has helped communities with local tree planting and forestry efforts. By providing funding and technical assistance, trees Forever empowers local volunteers to carry-out well-planned, volunteer-led, energy efficient reforestation and beautification projects. A nationally recognized and award-winning model, the program is a unique partnership between Trees Forever and both investor-owned and municipal utilities in Iowa.

The Power of Trees^TM Program is a partnership between Black Hills Energy (formerly Aquila), Trees Forever, and communities that empowers volunteers to complete and maintain locally-led tree planting projects.

The purpose of the program is to provide annual matching grants and technical assistance for projects such as:

• Parks
• Schools
• Residential areas
• Gateways
• Trails
• Cemeteries
• libraries

Who is eligible to participate?
Communities in Iowa served by Black Hills Energy.

The goals of Power of Trees include:
• developing educated, empowered community volunteers
• the completion and maintenance of tree planting projects

What assistance or services are provided through this program?
The program provides annual matching grants for the purchase of trees, ranging from $500 to $7,000.

Trees Forever field coordinators provide technical and planning assistance on a variety of topics, including:
 • species selection
• review of a site plan
• planting and care of trees
• planting for energy efficiency
• volunteer coordination
• working with the media
• fundraising

The application deadline is November 1, 2009. Reports are due from reapplying communities with the application.

Thanks to the program sponsor  Black Hills Energy