SCC is “Branching Out” thanks to Alliant Energy

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WEST BURLINGTON – Volunteers will plant 56 trees at Southeastern Community College’s West Burlington Campus at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The trees were purchased through a $10,000 grant from Alliant Energy and Trees Forever’s Branching Out partnership. This project is one of more than 30 Branching Out tree-plantings taking place across the state this fall.

The project is being done in conjunction with SCC’s Building the Dream campus expansion initiative and coincides with the construction of the new Hall of Sciences.

These new trees will do more than just provide a windbreak and shade for our buildings,” says SCC President Dr. Michael Ash. “They’re intended to serve as a a living lab for our agriculture students and give life to our campus landscape.”

College organizers have assembled a small army of volunteers to help with the project including staff, students, local officials, participants in SCC’s Choosing Healthy Alternatives to Delinquency (CHAD) program, as well as Alliant Energy representatives and Trees Forever staff. Interested community members and media are also invited to attend.

The planting project will start at 9:00 a.m.. Volunteers will meet in the new parking lot next to the Health Professions Center (accessible via SCC’s Gear Avenue entrance).

In addition to providing trees for shade and beautification, Trees Forever Field Coordinator Emily Swihart says the collaboratively-funded grant program is a great way to help people understand how they can help grow and protect an urban forest.

“When you plant a tree, you save energy, improve air quality, and reduce storm water runoff.” Swihart explains. “The entire community benefits when you plant even a single tree.”

“When you plant a tree, you’re starting to leave behind a legacy,” adds President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility Doug Kopp. [that doesn’t sound right Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility?]“Fifteen years from now you can come back and see what you’ve done and it is impressive. These trees provide a benefit to the community in terms of energy efficiency and carbon reduction for years to come and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

In case of inclement weather, the planting will be rescheduled to October 23 at 1 p.m.

For more information, contact Emily Swihart at (563) 260-1000 or eswihart@treesforever.org.

Alliant Energy, Branching Out Program, Pen City Current, scc, Southeastern Community College, Trees Forever, West Burlington

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