News : VPRD, VINTON, VAN HORNE & SHELLSBURG ALL BRANCHING OUT WITH NEW TREES

SUPPORT COMES FROM TREES FOREVER AND ALLIANT ENERGY Volunteers and community leaders in Vinton are planting trees to provide more shade and save energy. The local effort is part of the statewide Trees Forever and Alliant Energy Branching Out community tree-planting program. "We're looking forward to working with Trees Forever and Alliant Energy to plant more trees this year," says Duane Randall. "With their help, we are literally growing a better environment while making Vinton healthier, more vibrant and more energy efficient." Planting trees helps lower energy costs and helps reduce peak electric demand. Trees also provide many other long-term health, economic, social and environmental benefits to the community. "Trees Forever and Alliant Energy are very excited to support this great project, as we know it will provide years and years of beauty and benefits to the community," says Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever Founding President. "We want to thank our local volunteers for their hard work and their dedication to improving the environment and quality of life in Vinton. Together, we are literally planting a better tomorrow." Trees Forever administers the Branching Out program throughout Iowa, providing technical and planning support to participating communities. Alliant Energy funds the overall program, and provides project grants to the communities. The program will award $90,300.00 in grants to assist 26 Iowa communities and groups with tree-planting projects this fall; Vinton Parks & Recreation Department will receive $5,000.00 for its tree-planting project. "Energy efficiency is important to everyone, and we believe our investment in tree planting and education will help our customers become more aware of the benefits that trees have to offer," said Tom Aller, president of Alliant Energy's Interstate Power and Light. "We care about the communities we serve and welcome the opportunity to help them." If you would like to volunteer to help plant and care for the trees with the Vinton Parks & Recreation Department, please call Duane Randall at (319) 472-4164 or Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269 x110. Branching Out grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered for funding during two grant-making cycles (spring and fall). The next application deadline is November 1, 2012. Spring 2013 grant recipients will be announced in January 2013. For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269 x10. Applications are available online at www.alliantenergy.com/branchingout or www.treesforever.org.