Trees Forever focuses on upper Mississippi watershed

MARION, Iowa — Trees Forever is currently accepting applications from Iowa and Illinois farmers and landowners who are interested in improving water quality and increasing wildlife habitat through buffer plantings and other conservation practices. A special Upper Mississippi River watershed project will offer grant funding and technical assistance to selected landowners who are willing to demonstrate and model good conservation practices. Applications for the 2010 project are due by Nov. 15.

This special Conservation Buffer Demonstration Project will focus on waterways in the Upper Mississippi Watershed area of Iowa and Illinois. Eligible properties should be within watersheds where flooding occurred in 2008. The goal of this project is to increase or restore wildlife habitat and improve water quality in the flood-affected Upper Mississippi River watershed area. Preference will be given to highly visible sites with added educational or demonstration value. Up to $3,000 in cost share funds per site are available through this project.

Projects eligible for consideration include riparian (streamside) buffers, bio-retention cells and rain gardens on private or public lands within the Upper Mississippi River watershed. Property owners with land where there are impaired streams within a watershed, areas prone to erosion, or environmentally sensitive areas are encouraged to apply. A Trees Forever field coordinator will work directly with landowners to help them meet their needs and goals for their buffer site, and to help connect them with local resources and partners.

Primary funding for the Upper Mississippi Watershed project comes from a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. Trees Forever is a non-profit environmental group that encourages and implements tree planting, roadway and trail beautification projects, and water quality improvement projects in Iowa, Illinois and the Midwest.

Iowa and Illinois farmers, private landowners and public entities are welcome to apply for the 2010 Conservation Buffer Demonstration Project. Application forms are due by Nov. 15 and can be downloaded at www.treesforever.org by clicking on the “Program Applications” link on the home page. For more information or assistance, call Trees Forever at (800) 369-1269, ext. 10.