The City of Ames investing in its urban forest thanks to a nearly $1 million federal grant.
Ames City Forester Gabriele Edwards said a $810,500 U.S. Forest Service grant will be distributed over five years for use on various urban forestry projects , which include planting new trees and removing Emerald Ash Borer-infected ash trees. The city will also use the funds to trim trees, control invasive vegetation and establish a gravel bed nursery for young trees
"We are very grateful to receive such an impactful award from the USDA Forest Service," Edwards said. "This grant, allocated over four and a half years, will have a wide-reaching impact on our community and our urban forest."
The grant allows the city to proceed with several projects developed in the last 10 years while it allows staff to budget for the unexpected.
"We believe this is a win-win for the City of Ames and the management of its urban forest," Edwards said.
More: Ames community remembers Erwin Klaas, who helped create Ada Hayden, outlaw DDT
Combating Emerald Ash Borer
Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that kills all species of ash trees. It was discovered in North America in 2002 and eventually in Iowa in 2010.
The city of Ames instituted an Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan to slow the spread.
The plan involves a phased treatment and removal process of public trees. Certain ash trees will be removed based on public safety, tree defects, size, costs and benefits. The remaining ash trees will be treated every three years.
This plan also allows Ames to diversity its urban forest by planting a variety of saplings through a one-to-one replacement program.
More: ARL saves nearly 50 more dogs from Boone County puppy mill - months after initial rescue
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames plans to upgrade urban forest thanks to nearly $1 million grant
Most Popular
Comments / 0