Iowa-based Trees Forever will re-dedicate its Capitol Grove project at a special ceremony on Thursday, April 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the State Capitol in Des Moines. The Capitol Grove was the first major tree planting project undertaken by Trees Forever after it was founded in 1989. In addition, a memorial tree will be planted in honor of the late Senator Mary Lundby, to recognize her years of service to the state and her dedication to trees and our natural resources.
The Trees Forever Capitol Grove was planted in 1989 in an area on the southwest lawn of the State Capitol. It now sits just to the south of the newly completed West Capitol Terrace installation. The Trees Forever project was meant to be a long-term, real-world demonstration of the benefits and value of trees to Iowans, and included over 3 dozen trees and a diversity of species. All the trees were donated by members of the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association. A permanent bronze plaque commemorating the project was placed on the south side of the site.
Installing the grove in the shadow of the State Capitol dome made it a highly visible project, as well as allowed for future generations to enjoy the benefits of the trees for many years to come. In 2008 a series of paved trails, benches and picnic tables were installed in and around the Capitol Grove area, making it a wonderful site on the capitol grounds for state employees and Capitol visitors to enjoy.
The re-dedication event will also feature a special memorial tree planting in honor of the late Senator Mary Lundby. Lundby was a staunch advocate for trees and the environment, and a longtime supporter of Trees Forever. Senator Lundby also represented Marion, where Trees Forever is located.
“In addition to being a good friend, Senator Lundby was a clear voice for the importance and value of trees and natural areas in our state,” states Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever Founding President. “Mary truly understood and appreciated all that trees and open spaces add to our lives, our communities and our state. It seems very fitting that we honor her by planting an oak tree on the Capitol grounds during Trees Forever’s 20th Anniversary celebration.”
Trees Forever is a non-profit environmental group with headquarters in Marion, Iowa. Through their network of thousands of community volunteers, the organization has planted over 2.8 million trees in Iowa, Illinois and the Midwest since 1989. In addition to community tree planting programs, Trees Forever also works with farmers, landowners, communities and organizations on roadside and trail planting projects, watershed and buffer planting projects, prairie planting and restoration, and youth environmental education and employment.
Shannon Ramsay, the current President and CEO of Trees Forever, was one of the organization’s two founders. Ramsay and fellow volunteer David Krotz started the organization with the simple goal of planting more trees throughout Iowa. This was following the period when Dutch Elm disease had wiped out a significant portion of Iowa’s shade tree population. At the time, Ramsay and her co-founder noted that there was no real, organized effort to re-plant the trees lost to the disease.
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