Photos: Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center plants 40 trees to advance derecho recovery

Volunteers planted 40 trees Friday at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha through a partnership with Trees Forever and the City of Cedar Rapids. Prairiewoods lost 1,200 trees in the August 2020 derecho and has since planted 1,000 trees and shrubs.

Elizabeth Wood

Apr. 11, 2025 4:08 pm

Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center Land Sustainability Coordinator Aaron Brewer (left) helps volunteers plant trees in the Cedar Rapids section of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center partnered with Trees Forever and the City of Cedar Rapids to plant 40 trees to help the local ecosystem recover from the August 2020 derecho. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

In October 2020, Vince O'Connor and Sister Ann Jackson, coordinator of spiritual services at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, gathered storm debris as cleanup continued at the center in Hiawatha. The center lost 1,200 trees in the August 2020 derecho and has since planted 1,000 trees and shrubs. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Volunteer Bev Buhr breaks up chunks of dirt before spreading it around the roots of a tree in the Cedar Rapids section of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. Buhr said he has planted several hundred trees by hand, and was glad for the opportunity to volunteer at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Gina Sison (left), Terry Kemme (middle), and Gian Sison spread dirt over tree roots in the Cedar Rapids section of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. Gina said she’s been regularly volunteering at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center for 10 years. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Trees Forever’s Growing Teachers program coordinator James Partridge explains to volunteers the best way to plant a tree in the Cedar Rapids section of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. During the demonstration, Partridge explained to volunteers how to place tree diapers, a small irrigation system, around the newly planted trees. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Volunteer Bob Rasmussen grabs dirt to spread over tree roots in the Cedar Rapids section of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center partnered with Trees Forever and the City of Cedar Rapids to plant 40 trees to help the local ecosystem recover from the August 2020 derecho. The center lost 1,200 trees in the derecho. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Volunteers Dena Raunch and Barb Arceneaux plant a tree in the Cedar Rapids section of the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center on Friday. Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center partnered with Trees Forever and the City of Cedar Rapids to plant 40 trees to help the local ecosystem recover from the August 2020 derecho. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)