Iowa towns replant trees after emerald ash borer devastation
Two Iowa locations have secured grants to plant new trees after losing many to the emerald ash borer. The Delaware County Fairgrounds and the city of Dyersville will both receive trees through Alliant Energy's Community Tree Planting Program. Volunteers are now being sought to help with the planting efforts.
The Delaware County Fairgrounds was awarded 25 trees to replace those destroyed by the invasive beetle. Officials plan to plant a varied mix of deciduous species to avoid future losses from a single pest. The new trees will also provide shade, cut down on direct sunlight, and lower heat around fairground buildings.
A community planting day has been set for April 19th at the fairgrounds. Organisers are calling for local volunteers to take part. Meanwhile, Dyersville will use its grant to plant trees near the new child care centre in the 20 West Industrial Park. The city is also arranging a separate community tree-planting event and will need helpers for the project. Both grants come from Alliant Energy's programme, run in partnership with the non-profit group Trees Forever.
The newly planted trees will help restore green spaces lost to the emerald ash borer. The fairgrounds will gain shade and cooler buildings, while Dyersville's child care centre will see improved surroundings. Both projects rely on volunteer support to move forward.
