116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa City receives grant funding for planting new trees
‘The derecho, combined with the impact of emerald ash borer, has caused an unprecedented loss of canopy coverage throughout Iowa City’
IOWA CITY — Iowa City’s Parks and Recreation Department was awarded two grants to plant new trees and diversity the city’s tree canopy.
The $15,000 in funding will add trees to City Park, as well as in the city’s right of way.
“The derecho, combined with the impact of emerald ash borer, has caused an unprecedented loss of canopy coverage throughout Iowa City,“ said Tyler Baird, the city’s superintendent of parks and forestry.
Baird said the city planted 400 trees in 2019; 450 in 2020; 1,000 in 2021; and 1,050 in 2022. The annual tree planting goal for future years is 800, he added.
Baird said the tree canopy is slowly recovering from the derecho. It takes a decade before planted trees can provide substantial coverage, he added.
Root for Trees program
The city also has a program that makes it easier for residents to purchase and plant their own trees.
Through the Root for Trees program, residents can receive a tree voucher to save 50 percent on the purchase of a tree at a participating Iowa City location. This includes Earl May Garden Center and Iowa City Landscaping and Garden Center.
These trees must be planted on the resident’s private property.
If residents want to plant a tree in the right of way, a no-fee permit needs to be approved by the city before purchase. The vouchers are not eligible for maple and pear trees.
Through the Root for Trees program, residents planted 333 trees in fall 2020 through spring 2021, said Tyler Baird, the city’s superintendent of parks and forestry. Another 286 trees were planted in fall 2021 to spring 2022.
”We are working hard to replace as much canopy as possible through street tree planting, but it will take a larger community effort with individuals also planting on their property to replace the canopy that has been lost,“ Baird said.
So far, 81 trees have been planted in fall 2022 with more to come this spring, Baird said.
More information can be found on the city’s website. Vouchers are valid until May 15 while supplies last.
Planting trees at City Park
Of the funding, $10,000 is from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as part of its Community Forestry Grant Program. This program is for counties impacted by both the August 2020 derecho and the Emerald Ash Borer.
The city’s forestry division will use the funding to plant 65 trees in City Park to replace trees lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer, according to a city news release. The trees will be planted later this month in the week leading up to Arbor Day, which is April 28.
High school volunteers will help plant the trees. Baird said youth involvement in tree planting efforts is “highly important.”
“The act of planting creates connection to the trees, instills value of trees and teaches knowledge of the planting process,” Baird said. “Planting events that involve youth are an important opportunity to get the next generation excited about forestry and introduced to career opportunities that allow them to serve their community and the environment at the same time.”
The city has used previous funds from this program to plant trees at Wetherby Park, Thornberry Dog Park and Riverfront Crossings Park.
Grant dollars have ‘large impact’
The other $5,000 was awarded from MidAmerican Energy Company’s Trees Please! grant program. This program supports efforts from Iowa municipalities to plant trees near publicly owned properties, including schools, libraries and city halls.
The program has awarded more than $4.4 million since 1998. Last year, 55 communities received more than $100,000 in grant funding, according to MidAmerican.
The city will use the grant dollars to plant new trees in the right of way in the city. The city has received funding from this program for several years, the news release said.
Baird said long-term funding from partners, including the Iowa DNR and MidAmerican Energy, make a “large impact” on the number of trees the city is able to plant over multiple years.”
"These grants combine with budgeted funding to create even more impact as we strive to increase our canopy coverage while growing a healthy urban forest,“ Baird said.
Comments: (319) 339-3155; izabela.zaluska@thegazette.com
Cyclists race during the Iowa City Community Cross cyclocross race at Upper City Park in Iowa City Sept. 13, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Iowa City parks maintenance worker Collin Lenton loads sections of a downed tree into a truck to be hauled away at City Park in Iowa City on Aug. 12, 2020. (The Gazette)
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