Native landscaping of prairie plants and trees along our roadsides and trailsides are critical elements to managing stormwater, snow, soil erosion and more. Trees Forever works with communities to plan for native landscape improvements and the installation of those hard-working plants. This planning and planting work occurs through our Iowa Department of Transportation-supported Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning and Trails Visioning programs, and through Living Roadway Trust Fund Community Assistance.
Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning
Iowa Communities with populations equal to or less than 10,000 are eligible to apply to receive planning and design services that encourage visionary and yet strategic thinking about transportation improvements. Ten communities are selected for the program each year.
Apply by October 8
Living Roadway Trust Fund Community Assistance
Work with our staff to get a native planting and vegetation management plan on file with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Then have the ability to apply for a variety of grants all aimed at getting more native trees and plants in our roadsides. Trees Forever staff can also provide educational programming about the benefits of native plants and trees to your local community groups.
“At the end of the day, there’s nothing more peaceful than sitting on the porch, listening to the owls hoot off in the distance, seeing the deer frolic at the edge of the woods, hearing the sounds of the pheasants and quail out in the prairie, and watching the butterflies fluttering from flower to flower before dark.”
Walter Clark, Normal, IL – participant in the Illinois Buffer Partnership