Alliant Energy's Community Tree Planting Program (Iowa)

Alliant Energy's Community Tree Planting Program (Iowa) is sponsored by Trees Forever / Alliant Energy. Provides grants for community-based tree planting projects in Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service.

Alliant Energy’s Community Tree Planting Program – Trees Forever Alliant Energy’s Community Tree Planting Program.

Part of the One Million Trees Initiative Alliant Energy’s Community Tree Planting Program, Part of the One Million Trees Initiative is a nationally recognized and award-winning tree planting program in which Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and your community work together to plan, fund and implement community tree planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community stewardship.

The Community Tree Planting Program is offered exclusively to Iowa and Wisconsin communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. Planting locations must be within the Alliant Energy service area and on public property. Public property includes the Right of Way (ROW), fire stations, city hall, city facilities, and public parks and schools.

Requirements for each state are slightly different, see below for details: Finished planting? We can’t wait to hear about it! Click the button below to tell us more.

Iowa – Tree plantings in Iowa MUST be near buildings that have electricity and are heated or cooled. Right of Way (ROW) tree plantings must be in places where buildings are being shaded by the trees. Locations NOT ELIGIBLE include; along trails, in open park settings away from buildings, around ball fields with no buildings, cemeteries, and in ROW with no buildings.

Wisconsin – Tree plantings in Wisconsin can take place in almost any public setting including Right of Way (ROW), open park spaces, along trails, near playgrounds and ball fields, and more. Communities can apply for grants up to $5,000 to pay for the cost of trees only. Trees must be landscape-sized in 5 to 10-gallon pots and are purchased locally by the community with the grant funds from Alliant Energy.

In Iowa, a small number of trees are covered by customer’s Energy Efficiency contributions. Trees Forever administers and facilitates the program, providing organizational, educational, planning and planting support through our network of experienced field staff. The application process is competitive, and preference is given to applicants with thorough and complete documentation that meets all program guidelines.

Project grants are awarded once per year, but plantings can occur anytime in the Spring or Fall. Get ready to apply with these easy steps! Alliant Energy Community Tree Planting FAQ Download If your community qualifies, gather the items A, B, C and D listed below.

A. Review the Tree Species Guide and choose trees best suited to your site. If you need help, reach out to the Trees Forever Field Coordinator in your area.

Not sure who that is? Give us a call at 319-373-0650 x 110. Tree Species Guide 2025-2026 Download B.

Get quotes from local nurseries and put together a budget sheet using the form below. Also include match items. Alliant Energy Budget and Matching Form Download C.

Download the City Tree Planting Permission Slip and have it signed. Permission to Plant on City Property Download Step 3: Applications are open for plantings in 2026! Deadline has been extended.

Iowa Applications are Open! Project Name (Required) Include name of Community in the Project Name. Max 80 characters.

Anticipated Planting Date (Required) Grant Amount Requested (Required) Organization/Committee Name (Required) If awarded, who should the check be made out to?

(Required) Checks cannot be made out to individuals Federal Tax ID Number (Required) Community Electric Provider (Required) Alliant Energy Mid American Energy Municipal Other Natural Gas Provider (Required) Alliant Energy Black Hills Energy Mid American Energy Municipal Other Community Contacts and Volunteer Committee Communities interested in applying for the program must create a committee.

This group must include a primary contact person, a media contact person, and at least four other community members who will assist with planning, planting and caring for your trees.

Primary Contact Person (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Local Media Contact (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Committee Member 1 (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Committee Member 2 (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Committee Member 3 (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Committee Member 4 (Required) Name, Occupation, Address, Email and Phone Tell us your plans for your planting event and please answer each of the following items.

A Trees Forever field coordinator can help answer any questions you may have. Remember, these projects REQUIRE volunteer involvement and can only be planted on PUBLIC property. Project Description (Required) Please give a clear and concise description of your proposed planting project on public land and explain how volunteers will be utilized in the planting.

Describe the impact the trees will have on your planting location and in the community you are planting in. Energy Efficiency (Required) Each project must demonstrate energy savings from the new trees. How will your project capitalize on the energy efficiency benefits of trees?

Reminder, tree planting projects in Iowa MUST have direct energy efficiency benefits by placing trees next to buildings that are heated and/or cooled and in Right or Ways (ROW) that have buildings bordering them. Care and Maintenance Plan (Required) Newly planted trees require significant care, including watering, mulching, pruning and sometimes staking. Who will lead the care and maintenance efforts?

Describe your tree care plan for the first three years. Community Awareness (Required) How will you promote your tree planting? Will you invite local media or elected officials?

How will you recognize Alliant Energy and Trees Forever? Diversity (Required) How will you recruit volunteers who are broadly representative of your community? How will your project involve or benefit the underserved in your community?

Upload City Tree Planting Permission Slip (Required) Upload the signed permission slip. Upload Site Plan (Required) This can be a simple sketch or hand drawing of the tree planting area. Include major roads, species and location of each tree to be planted, location of overhead power lines and a north directional arrow.

Upload Budget Worksheet (Required) Upload the completed budget worksheet. Upload Additional Items (Required) Include anything else that will help explain or support your project such as community support letters, verification of additional funding sources or photos of the community.

Reporting (Required) I am aware that REQUIRED program summary reporting forms must be completed and submitted to the Trees Forever office by November 1, and that failure to submit these forms may result in disqualification for the next funding cycle. Committee Activity (Required) I have confirmed that the committee members listed on this application are willing and able to participate in this program.

Terms and Conditions Acceptance and Digital Signature (Required) By clicking Submit my Application below, I give permission to Trees Forever to reproduce and use any photographs taken at my community tree-planting event and/or that are submitted as part of our program summary report. I agree to care for our trees for no fewer than three years. I agree to the terms and conditions.

Wisconsin Applications are Closed.