Des Moines NeighborWoods Tree Planting to Benefit Habitat Homes
Des Moines, Iowa. (September 28, 2009) – In keeping with its mission to plant trees and care for the environment by empowering people, building community and promoting stewardship, Trees Forever is partnering with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity to improve the city’s affordable housing and ensure green, sustainable development by planting trees at Habitat homes.
The community improvement project will take place as follows:
10/5/09 – 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., beginning at 1232 and 1236 10th Street, Des Moines, IA.
On Monday, October 5, Trees Forever will lead a volunteer project to plant 20 trees at new Habitat for Humanity homes built throughout the city. Joining residents of the Habitat homes and Trees Forever community volunteers will be Team Depot associates from The Home Depot’s local stores.
"We’re thrilled that The Home Depot® shares our same local community values and is showing that through their involvement. The Home Depot’s core values of ‘Giving Back’ and ‘Doing the Right Thing’ are a perfect fit for the impact we’re trying to make in this community," said Shannon Ramsay, Founding President of Trees Forever.
Ramsay, who also serves as the Board Chair of the Alliance for Community Trees in Washington, DC, will talk about the benefits and value of trees, connections between affordable housing and greening, and participate in the plant¬ing. Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and other city officials will be on hand to assist with the planting event. Representatives from Senator Harkin and Senator Grassley’s offices also plan to attend.
The new Habitat homeowners will reap additional benefits from their new trees through lower energy costs, improved air quality, higher property values, and a renewed sense of community in their beautified neighborhoods. Volunteers and every homeowner will receive training on proper tree care and maintenance, to ensure survivability of the trees and maximize their long-term effect on the homes and the Des Moines community.
This campaign to make housing in Des Moines healthier, greener, and more affordable through trees is made possible in part by a $10,000 National NeighborWoods Grant from the Alliance for Community Trees and The Home Depot Foundation. Trees Forever is one of ten organizations nationwide that received this highly competitive challenge grant in support of urban forestry and affordable housing partnerships. In addition, a financial contribution from the Brenton Family Foundation is supporting this project.
The Home Depot Foundation, Trees Forever and the Alliance for Community Trees will also join forces on another Habitat for Humanity planting project in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, October 3. For more information on these planting events, please contact Trees Forever at 319-373-0650.