Planting a Better Tomorrow!
Did you know that you can grow great trees in rock and gravel? Join Gary Johnson with the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Resources to learn the ins and outs of growing trees in gravel beds. Gary will give an overview of why to use gravel beds, and then some basics on how communities can use gravel beds to grow great trees for low cost.
Pre-contacted residents can pick up a self plant tree at the Des Moines Trees Forever location. Anyone can take part in the treemendous celebration. A tree planting demonstration will take place at 1PM. Tree Olympics will be from 2PM-4PM and includes tree id, flag toss, competitive tree hugging, and buckets races. There will be free hot dogs and chips for the first 150 guests.
Trees Forever Field Coordinator Jeff Jensen and Iowa DNR District Forester Joe Herring along with the Hampton Tree Board are hosting a Treemendous Presentation on growing your urban canopy. This will be a chance to ask your local district forester any questions about tree issues or curiosities you may have and learn some tips and tricks for selecting trees, funding your tree planting projects, and better maintaining your trees and shrubs for long lived benefits.
Join Trees Forever, Franklin County Conservation, and the Hampton Tree Board for an evening all about trees. We will meet at the Maynes Grove Lodge at 5:30 and learn about proper tree care and maintenance as well as cost share opportunities for planting trees. A tree walk showcasing some of the fantastic plantings by the Hampton Tree Board as well as the oak savanna will take place and don’t miss your chance to ask your local DNR forester any tree related questions you may have.
Josh Balk is a watershed and source water coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He has spent the last 8 years working with a wide variety of landowners in the Dry Run Creek Watershed (Cedar Falls) to help implement conservation in both urban and rural areas. Josh is a Cedar Valley native and graduate from the University of Northern Iowa’s Earth Science program. Join Josh as he shares his experience implementing conservation-minded landscaping practices to improve water quality and quantity issues in northeast Iowa.
Join Trees Forever, Carroll County Conservation, and partners for a delightful walk in the woods identifying native woodland wildflowers and trees at Dickson Timber near Glidden on Wednesday, June 7th starting at 5:30. Trees Forever Field Coordinator Brad Riphagen will lead this tour and field day educating participants in a fun and engaging way. Tree ID booklets provided bring your own positive attitude and love for the outdoors.
West Union Community Library is offering a Tree-mendous Growth Workshop presented by Trees Forever Thursday, June 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the lower level Community Room of the library. Andrew Rust, Trees Forever Northeast Iowa Field Coordinator is presenting ways to increase tree canopy in Iowa. Workshop topics include: the benefit of trees; how to set a canopy goal; improving tree ordinances; what trees to plant; and more.
Nick McGrath and Mark Vitosh will present Tree-mendous - Top 10 Ways to Grow Your Canopy. The workshop will include discussion on the Top 10 list, best practices in pruning and a tree walk.
School may be out for the summer but we’re sneaking back onto school grounds to see an amazing high school planting of natives and to learn how you can replicate a similar planting in your own backyard. Join Mahaska County Roadside Manager Ben Hoskinson and Trees Forever for a night of fun and fellowship. We’ll meet at the Oskaloosa High School at 5:30 to gather and see the pollinator garden. Free pollinator and prairie ID booklets will be available to participants.
Iowa’s forests and woodlands face several health challenges; from invasive species like Oriental Bittersweet and Emerald Ash Borer to the more recent Oak Dying, times are tough for Iowa’s woodlands. Join Iowa DNR Forestry Health Specialist Tivon Feeley to learn about the various pest and disease threats to our woodlands and what is being done to monitor and manage these threats.