Nominations Yield "Cool" Ideas for We Dig Your District Program
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – April 29, 2009 – In an effort to begin re-greening and revitalizing Cedar Rapids flood-affected neighborhoods, Alliant Energy and Trees Forever will partner with local groups to plant trees at Ushers Ferry Historical Village and in the Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood through the We Dig Your District Program. Other 2009 planting locations include Washington High School, Cherry Hill Park, and Kirkwood Community College.
The tree-planting locations for the 2009 We Dig Your District program- a partnership initiative between Alliant Energy, Trees Forever, and local groups- were selected from the letters and e-mails submitted suggesting sites where trees could make a difference in our community. Tree planting locations were selected in each of the five Cedar Rapids City Council Districts. The program’s goal is to demonstrate how trees improve energy efficiency and contribute to a healthier, “cooler” community.
The first planting event this spring will be at Kirkwood Community College Horticulture and Floriculture Careers Building on May 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Volunteers will plant shade and ornamental trees at this new facility and at sites around the main campus, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids. A rain date is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 11. Kirkwood Community College is in District #5.
Volunteers can also assist with the Washington High School planting event at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, 2009. The school is located at 2205 Forest Dr SE, Cedar Rapids. Students, along with community leaders, will plant native oaks and a variety of shade trees. A rain date is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 20. Washington High School is in District #2.
The remaining three planting events will take place in the fall. People interested in volunteering to help with any of these planting events should contact Trees Forever program manager Karen Brook at 319-373-0650 x14 or via e-mail at kbrook@treesforever.org to register.
Alliant Energy and Trees Forever challenged the people of Cedar Rapids to “tell us why we should dig your district in 2009” and they did just that. Suggested locations were reviewed based on their potential to improve energy efficiency, enhance the environment and meet a community need. The review committee included City of Cedar Rapids council members and representatives from Alliant Energy and Trees Forever.
“Cedar Rapids, we dig your ideas!” declared Shannon Ramsay, Founder and CEO of Trees Forever. “The nominations we received demonstrate incredible pride in our community and a strong commitment to the environment. I’m confident the five 2009 We Dig Your District projects will have a lasting and significant impact in Cedar Rapids.”
“Trees make our community more beautiful and welcoming. They also help save energy by providing shade from the hot summer sun and a windbreak against harsh winter winds,” said Tom Aller - President of Alliant Energy, Interstate Power and Light. “The We Dig Your District initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to energy conservation and making Cedar Rapids a “cooler” place to live.”
This is the fourth year for the We Dig Your District program. Since 2006, 268 trees have been planted at locations throughout each of the five districts. Alliant Energy and Trees Forever have been in partnership for more than 20 years, promoting energy efficiency and enhancing the environment through tree planting.
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.
Alliant Energy is an energy-services provider with subsidiaries serving approximately 1 million electric and over 420,000 natural gas customers. Providing its customers in the Midwest with regulated electric and natural gas service is the company’s primary focus. Alliant Energy, headquartered in Madison, Wis., is a Fortune 1000 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNT. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.alliantenergy.com.