Trees Forever Awards First Disaster Assistance Grants
Marion, Iowa – (April 3, 2009) – Trees Forever today announced the recipients of the first round of disaster recovery assistance and funding through its Recover, Replant & Restore program. The program helps neighborhoods and communities plan, implement and fund planting projects that will rebuild hope and community spirit in areas devastated by last year’s flooding and tornados.
A total of twelve projects were selected to receive program assistance and matching grants ranging from $1,500 to $1,800. Four projects are located in flood-ravaged areas of Cedar Rapids. Those projects are Taylor Elementary School, The Arc of East Central Iowa, the Helen G. Nassif YMCA, and Hayes Park.
Seven other communities throughout eastern Iowa were selected to receive grant funding for various “green” disaster recovery projects. Those communities are Rockford, Oakville, Palo, Fort Madison, Keokuk, New Hartford, and the Green Iowa AmeriCorps project in Cedar Falls. Trees Forever field staff are also providing organizational and planning assistance with recovery efforts in Parkersburg and Mason City.
Examples of selected projects include assessing and caring for storm-damaged trees, and plantings of trees, shrubs and native plants in neighborhoods, at park and trails, on school grounds, and around flood damaged facilities.
“We’re pleased to provide help and assistance to so many communities in our first round of funding,” notes Karen Brook, Trees Forever program manager. “Trees Forever has a long history working with many of these communities, so planning and planting projects are already moving forward. Our goal is to help bring a little hope and beauty back into these communities,” Brook added.
Through the Recover, Replant & Restore program, Trees Forever staff will provide assistance with damage assessment, project planning, plant material selection, planting design, volunteer organizing, and tree care or cleanup projects. In addition, cash grants of up to $2,000 are available to help purchase trees and other plant materials.
Trees Forever established the Campaign to Recover, Replant & Restore to raise money to assist communities that were affected by the natural disasters of 2008. Thanks to a major gift from Van Meter Industrial and other donations from across the state, Trees Forever is able to provide assistance and funding to the first projects this spring. Additional assistance and grant funding will be provided as donations are received.
To learn more about the Trees Forever Recover, Replant & Restore program, or to inquire about future grant funding, please contact Karen Brook at 800-369-1269 ext. 14 or e-mail kbrook@treesforever.org. Anyone interested in more information about the fundraising campaign, or wishing to donate to the disaster fund, can contact Mark Signs at 800-369-1269, extension #20, or log on to www.TreesForever.org .
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Trees Forever is a nonprofit organization based in Marion, IA committed to planting trees, encouraging community involvement and stewardship, and caring for the environment. Programs focus on improving air and water quality, increasing wildlife habitat, providing substantial energy savings and beautifying our landscape. For more information visit www.treesforever.org or call 800-369-1269.