Officials with Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy Company, in association with the Trees Forever organization, have announced they are awarding a total of $90,300 to 23 Iowa communities or organizations, through the “Branching Out” program. Among the recipients, is the City of Clarinda, which was awarded $1,500 for the planting of trees near the Clarinda Regional Health Center, and, the City of Creston, which receives $10,000, for planting post-tornado trees, to replace those which were lost at McKinley Park, and on the campus of Southwestern Community College.

Branching Out is a nationally-recognized grant program through which Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and local community leaders work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community involvement in Iowa.

Since the start of the Branching Out program in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted. Branching Out grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered for funding during a spring and a fall grant-making cycle. Deadlines are on June 1 and November 1 of each year.

For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269. Applications are available online at alliantenergy.com/branchingout or treesforever.org.