A Greene County town has once again received a grant to help repopulate the trees in the community.

Alliant Energy’s Community Tree Planting Program recently announced 23 Iowa communities were granted over $95,000, and one of those recipients was the city of Jefferson.

City Administrator Scott Peterson applauds the effort of the Jefferson Tree Committee for getting this $5,000 grant.

“Just a big, big, big round of applause to our tree committee because those are the folks that head everything up in town really that’s tree-related. When they look at tree planting projects, they will work on the funding and the grant applications. And they also, roll up their sleeves and get right down there in the dirt and get the trees planted. So, just a very, very active tree committee and we’re just very, very much blessed.”

Peterson points out that the Jefferson Tree Committee was also awarded a $30,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to plant even more trees. He talks about the larger scope of replanting several of the trees that the Public Works Department has removed, the last several that were primarily attacked by the Emerald Ash Borer. 

“It’s really one of those attributes that makes for a fine community, and you drive down the streets, and you drive down these beautiful tree line streets. And in order to get to the point where you have these mature trees on these beautiful streets, you’ve got to start small and that’s what we’re doing.” 

Peterson adds that there are two plantings that will be done this year, including this spring and fall.