We are super excited to announce our Re-Tree Iowa Initiative!

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig will take part in a tree planting ceremony on the main campus of Kirkwood Community College this Friday, March 26 to kick off iHeart Media's Re-Tree Iowa effort. Organized by Kirkwood and The Big Show on WHO and WMT Radio, the goal is to promote tree planting in an effort to replace the large number of Iowa trees lost during the derecho storm in August of last year. The event will happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 12:30.

Reynolds and Naig will be joined by Kirkwood President Lori Sundberg, as well as faculty and students from the college’s Agriculture Sciences department. The planting will be preceded by a short program with remarks by Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Naig and Kirkwood Ag students.

Like many Iowans, Petersen understands the significance of the derecho’s impact on the state’s tree population.

“It’s heartbreaking for me to see how much of the natural beauty of this state has been lost,” said Petersen. “That beauty can’t be artificially created and takes years to regrow. From the shade of mature oaks, to the wonderful fall colors of the maples, we all have a different connection to, and appreciation of, these magnificent natural specimens. Every day that we let pass without getting the next generation of trees in the ground is a day we will regret.”

The opening kick-off broadcast is presented by our friends at Growmark, who are also great partners, investors and wonderful supporters of Trees Forever:

To Kirkwood Dean of Agriculture Sciences Scott Ermer, the importance of the event cannot be overstated.

"The derecho was absolutely devastating for the tree population in Iowa," said Ermer. "It's crucial that we repopulate our trees for their environmental benefits as well as for future generations to enjoy. This effort needs to be done resourcefully and responsibly to ensure a future tree canopy that lasts for decades to come. Through education on proper tree selection, placement and planting, we can work together and utilize our resources to regrow the Iowa landscape that we remember."

WMT and WHO will be broadcasting on location from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to kick off the Re-Tree Iowa initiative, a statewide effort of iHeartMedia Iowa. The broadcast, hosted by The Big Show’s Andy Petersen, will include interviews with Gov. Reynolds, Sec. Naig as well as key Kirkwood faculty and students. Among the topics of discussion will be the importance of trees, sustainable replanting strategies and regrowing the tree canopy across the region.

About Kirkwood:

With the most credit programs of any community college in Iowa, Kirkwood Community College boasts more than 18,000 annual college-credit students, while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life. Kirkwood is a convenient, innovative and visionary educational leader that strives to remain affordable and accessible.

About Re-Tree Iowa:

iHeartMedia Iowa developed the Re-Tree Iowa initiative to encourage our listeners to replant the more than one million trees destroyed by the August derecho. The goal is to inspire people to do this in a sustainable, responsible and timely manner on their property, or to donate to organizations that will help replant trees in public areas. Upcoming live broadcast events across the state will feature a variety of state and local leaders as we work as one community to Re-Tree Iowa.


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