(SBA) - Cities across Iowa may soon find out that money really can grow on trees, with MidAmerican’s “Trees Please!” program grants to help them save on future energy bills by planting the right kinds of trees in the right places.
MidAmerican is awarding $134,600 in “Trees Please!” grant funding to 59 Iowa cities. The City of Sergeant Bluff will receive $1,000 from the program.
Cities receiving 2025 grants include several affected by natural disasters over the past several years, including Minden, which was struck by a tornado last April, Sioux City, which was impacted last year by flooding, and Marion, which sustained heavy tree losses from the 2020 derecho.
The company’s “Trees Please!” program promotes strategic tree planting projects on public property to encourage reduced energy usage in public spaces.
Landscaping to help conserve energy
Beyond the environmental benefits and added beauty that trees provide, certain varieties of well-placed trees can reduce energy consumption needed for heating or air conditioning.
For example, in the summer, leafy deciduous shade trees, such as maple trees, can help keep a building cooler if planted near a south wall.
In winter months, evergreen trees and shrubs, such as pine trees that keep their needles year-round, can provide wind protection if planted in the direction of prevailing winds, thus reducing heating usage.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy that a typical household uses.
“Strategically planting the right kinds of trees can provide long-term returns for a city, business or homeowner,” Erin Rasmussen, MidAmerican director of energy efficiency, said. “MidAmerican’s ‘Trees Please!’ program provides value to our partner cities in several ways, including helping to lessen the amount of energy needed in a public building.”
Since 1998, MidAmerican has awarded more than $4.6 million in funding that communities used to plant more than 95,000 trees.
In the fall, cities and community organizations can submit grant applications to MidAmerican to be considered for grants of $1,000 or more. The company selects grant recipients based on a project’s merits, benefits to the community and the ability to obtain matching funds.
For more information, go to MidAmerican’s “Trees Please!” page at MidAmericanEnergy.com/trees-please, email planttrees@midamerican.com or call 800-434-4017.
