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(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- Cedar Rapids-based Trees Forever is planning a tree voucher program this month. Those who attend three educational programs this month will become eligible for either a $100 or a $250 voucher for a new tree at local garden centers.
Trees Forever Spokesperson Dina Havric says sessions will be held November 9th at the Ladd Library (3750 Williams Blvd. SW) at 5:30 p.m., November 11th, at the Downtown Library (450 5th Avenue SE) at 5:30 p.m. and November 13th at 1:30 p.m. at the Northwest Recreation Center, 1340 11th Street NW.
The program is included as a part of the ReLeaf Cedar Rapids plan, a public-private partnership between the City of Cedar Rapids and Trees Forever to replant the hundreds of thousands of trees lost in the August 2020 derecho.
Registration can be done on TreesForever.Org/Voucher-Program
The trees have to be planted on the purchaser's private property. Only one tree is available per property. Eligible tree species can be found on the ReLeaf Master Tree List.
The vouchers can be used at participating locations.
* Fleming Nursery, 7900 Peterman Lane, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52411
* Next Generation Landscape Nursery, 831 Vernon Valley Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
* Culver's Lawn & Landscape, 1682 Dubuque Road, Marion, IA 52302
* Cedar River Garden Center, 2889 Palo Marsh Road, Palo, IA 52324
* Baumhoefener Nursery, 4241 Johnson Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
Vouchers are valid until May 31, 2023.
"85% of the trees lost during the derecho were located on private land," said Kent Von Behren, Trees Forever ReLeaf Project Manager. "While our Community Tree Distributions - sometimes referred to as tree adoptions - have been successful in making trees accessible to property owners at an affordable price, we hope to continue eliminating the cost barrier for people who are motivated to plant a tree in their private yards."
Trees Forever also reminds property owners to contact Iowa One Call at least 72 hours before digging so that utilities can be properly located.