What an amazing 2025 spring season in Cedar Rapids! We can't achieve numbers like these on our own. Thank you so much to everyone who has volunteered with us or supported us in any capacity! We are already counting down the days to the fall season and we hope to see you there!

Summer is here and that means our Growing Futures watering crews are back in action! The Des Moines and Cedar Rapids teams will be spending the season watering and caring for street trees throughout the two metro areas.

With forecasts calling for continued high heat, make sure you’re keeping your trees hydrated! Water your trees with 10-15 gallons for each week that has less than 1 inch of rain. A 5-gallon bucket with a 1/8" hole drilled near the base can be used to slowly water your tree.

Last Friday, the Des Moines team got to be a part of Brenton Arboretum Pollinator Palooza! Our AmeriCorps members, Laura and MJ, had a blast showing attendees just how long tree roots can grow!

Join Trees Forever to learn about Iowa's geologic history & how glaciers have impacted our landscape & environment! Our state's topography is far from boring - thanks in part to ice sheets that once covered our land. Wednesday, July 9 at Noon. Register at register.gotowebinar.com/register/78065…

Cedar Rapids lost 70% of its tree canopy in the 2020 derecho but together, we’re growing it back! Residents are eligible to receive up to $250 towards the purchase of a tree just by attending a short, 30-minute info session. Space is limited! Sign up at TreesForever.org/Voucher-Program.

A free prairie tour and butterfly tagging event is this Thursday! Join Trees Forever at the Outdoor Educational Classroom in Massena, Iowa. July 10 at 6:00p.m. Learn more and RSVP at: treesforever.org/event/stewards…

Trees Forever’s Illinois Community Canopy grant programs provide funding to help strengthen and build our shared urban forests! Grant rounds for tree planting, tree removal, and community tree inventory and management plans can be found at treesforever.org/icc/

Congratulations to Trees Forever's newest Certified Arborist! Join us in celebrating Ben Vaughan, Trees Forever ReLeaf Project Leader, for passing his arborist exam this week and becoming our OFFICIAL go-to guy for obscure tree questions!

Field days are a great way to connect with nature and learn from the experts! Join us for a morning filled with mushroom hunting and prairie exploration at Yellow Forest State Park July 21st. Don't forget to register and pack some comfy hiking shoes! treesforever.org/event/stewards…

Emerald Ash Borer has damaged tree canopies across the Midwest for more than two decades. Join our guest presenters for lessons learned on how the pest was dealt with and the results decades on. Wednesday, July 23 at Noon. Register for the webinar at register.gotowebinar.com/register/86148…

Join us at Lime Creek Nature Center in Mason City to meet the Cerro Gordo County Roadside manager and learn all about the native plantings and roadside reclamation projects in the area! Wednesday, July 23 at 5:30pm. More info and RSVP at treesforever.org/event/stewards…

Last Thursday was a fun day out Collins Aerospace for the Community STEM Day! The Growing Futures team shared the work they're doing to prospects and got a chance to get hands on STEM experience!

Many new trees found homes this past spring which means plenty of watering to keep them happy and thriving! Our Growing Futures crews in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids are watering 2,000 trees this summer. Thanks to their hard work we are able to maintain the urban tree canopies!

We are heading back out in the field once more! Tomorrow is an opportunity to learn from Marshall County's Roadside Manager Ty Renze. Meet us at the Grimes Farm and Conservation Center Tuesday July 29th, at 1pm. treesforever.org/event/stewards…

Join Doug Harr, president of Iowa Audubon, as he shares his lifelong experiences as a wildlife biologist. Attendees will learn about Iowa’s native birds and the native plants. Wednesday, August 6 at Noon. Register for the webinar at register.gotowebinar.com/register/11244…

As part of the Growing Futures program, our young team members participate in professional development alongside caring for trees! Our Des Moines and Cedar Rapids crews have had some great guest presenters and field trips this summer!

Once again, we are partnering with RAYGUN to commemorate the 5-year derecho anniversary during the month of August. Grab a shirt while they last and order online now! A portion of the proceeds go towards #ReLeafCedarRapids replanting work! raygunsite.com/products/refle…