Trees Forever Inc

In 2024 trees forever educated people of all ages to care for trees: trees forever provides informative programs and hands-on learning experiences that build participants' knowledge of tree care, environmental stewardship, and conservation. In 2024 through the stewards of the beautiful land program (sobl) with the iowa dot, trees forever hosted webinars that engaged over 500 participants on various topics related to conservation and tree planting and care. Also, through the stewards of the beautiful land educational program, various hands-on field days included plant and tree id, seed harvest, prairie walks and planting events that engaged more than 300 volunteers/participants. Another program that is also part of stewards of the beautiful land, is the living roadway trust fund community assistance program with the iowa dot. Nearly 40 events and activities across the state of iowa were attended by staff to present, educate and provide information that is available on conservation practices and urban forestry to over 2,000 students & adults. Not to mention city municipalities that were visited by trees forever field coordinators in person across iowa with that receive the same information . Finally, more than 230 people attended the treekeepers program online and inperson in iowa and illinois. The treekeeper program trains and educates volunteers to support urban forestry in their hometowns. 16 people graduated from the in person educational trainings.

Planting a healthier environment: trees forever works with landowers who are committed to planting native trees and prairie plant species to carry out conservation practices and promote land stewardship to reduce soil erosion, improve water and soil quality and provide wildlife and pollinator habitat. During 2023, 21 acres of buffers and conservation plantings were funded, with 1,133 trees, seedlings and shrubs, and 5 lbs of prairie seed planted with our guidance. There is no update for 2024 as this program is onhold, although there is 3 projects that have been awarded funding in 2022.

Landscaping roads & trails: trees forever works with volunteers and leaders to make our communities better places for current and for future generations. We do this by leading planning that results in successful projects. In 2024, 10 communities participated in the visioning process and more than 1,121 volunteers participated with nearly 1,700 volunteer hours were logged.