Volunteers to Plant 40 Trees in Newton Thanks to Siemens Corporation

Newton, Iowa (May 2, 2011) – Newton is about to get a lot greener, thanks to a generous donation from Siemens Corporation and national partner Alliance for Community Trees. Volunteers from Trees Forever, Project AWAKE, Newton High School and the City of Newton will join local Siemens employees in planting 40 trees on the city’s north side. This special tree planting event will take place Wednesday, May 4, from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Volunteers will gather at Woodland Park at Noon for a brief presentation and tree planting demonstration. Trees Forever Founding President Shannon Ramsay will host the event. Newton Mayor Charles “Chaz” Allen will welcome guests, including representatives from Siemens Corporation as well as other state and local officials. Carrie Gallagher, Executive Director of the national Alliance for Community Trees, based in Washington D.C., will also be on hand for the event.

Volunteers will be planting 40 landscape-sized trees in the public right-of-way along E 5th Street N, E 8th Street N, and N 15th Avenue E, and in the adjacent Woodland Park. Trees Forever Field Coordinator Brad Riphagen has worked with City of Newton staff to select a variety of tree species most suitable for the area, including oak, linden, and a new variety of elm.

“We want to thank Siemens Corporation, the national Alliance for Community Trees, and all the project partners for demonstrating the importance of planting more trees, and the great value and numerous benefits that trees bring to our neighborhoods and communities,” states Trees Forever’s Ramsay. “Trees are literally renewing our cities and our planet!”

Newton was one of three cities nationwide to receive a 2010 Siemens Sustainable Community Award from the US Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and the Siemens Corporation. The May 4 tree planting event is part of the Award prize package.

By planting the right trees in the right places, homeowners and the City can enjoy maximum benefits from those trees for years to come. Trees reduce energy costs, enhance property values, reduce storm water runoff, and remove pollutants and carbon dioxide from the air.

Members of the public are invited to help with this tree planting project. Volunteers are reminded to dress appropriately for outdoor work. This would include heavy shoes or work boots, gloves, hats and sunscreen. In addition, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and 5-gallon buckets for use in planting and mulching the trees.
Refreshments will be provided.

Trees Forever has been greening and improving Iowa and Midwestern communities through tree planting and water quality initiatives for the past 22 years. The Alliance for Community Trees helps support community tree planting efforts across the country, working with generous sponsors such as Siemens.

For more information on the May 4 tree planting event, please contact Trees Forever Field Coordinator Brad Riphagen at 515-370-1291, or via e-mail at briphagen@treesforever.org.

WHAT: Newton - Siemens Tree Planting Event

WHEN: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from Noon – 2:00 p.m.
(Brief presentation at Noon, followed by tree planting)

WHERE:
Woodland Park
E 5th Street N and N 15th Avenue E, Newton, IA

WHO:

• Newton High School students
• Siemens employees
• Newton Project AWAKE
• Trees Forever staff & volunteers
• City of Newton staff

SPEAKERS:

• Shannon Ramsay, Founding President, Trees Forever
• Charles “Chaz” Allen, Mayor, City of Newton
• Les Uhlmeyer, Siemens Corporation
• Carrie Gallagher, Executive Director, Alliance for Community Trees

WHY:
Newton was one of three small-sized communities nationwide to receive a 2010 Siemens Sustainable Community Award from the US Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and the Siemens Corporation. The May 4 tree planting event is part of the Award prize package.