The Iowa Legislature has appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to be used for a community-based tree-planting program for derecho recovery tree planting. This tree-planting program is in response to losses due to severe weather that impacted the state on Aug. 10, 2020.

The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to be used for the purchase and planting of trees suitable to Iowa. Qualifying public planting lands include, but are not limited to, street right-of-way’s, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries and trails. Award recipients are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar cash match for purchase of trees and materials from Iowa businesses. Staff are recommending a City match not to exceed $4,991.30 for an overall project total of $9,982.60.

If the City is successful in securing IDNR grant funding, funds will be used to plant 44 trees in four (4) locations throughout Ankeny:

·         Twenty (20) trees along SW State St. between the Ankeny Art Center & SW 11^th St.

·         Twelve (12) trees at Sunrise Park

·         Six (6) trees at Village Park

·         Six (6) trees at Greentree Park

The deadline for the City to submit an application to the IDNR’s Community Forestry Grant is August 26, 2024.

A dollar-for-dollar cash match is required, meaning the total project cost to implement these four (4) tree planting projects will be $9,982.60 with $4,991.30 coming from IDNR grant funds and $4,991.30 split 50/50 from the City's land & tree services funds in Park Maintenance and Road Use.

A budget amendment will be required as it was undetermined if the City would apply or receive grant funding in FY2025.