MASON CITY – ITC Midwest and the City of Mason City, along with community volunteers from NIACC, St. James Lutheran Church and Mason City Alternative School planted trees this morning. Shining Star award winners Jerry Weiland and Missy Nicholson were also present to help out. Various species were planted in Central Park and downtown parking lots, as well as in the Georgia Hanford Gerk Arboretum.
The effort received funding from ITC Midwest through its “Right Tree, Right Place” tree-planting program. ITC Midwest owns and operates high-voltage electric transmission lines in the area.
“ITC Midwest is pleased to partner with the City of Mason City in the planting and environmental effort,” said ITC Midwest Local Government and Community Affairs Manager Lori Broghammer. “We developed the ‘Right Tree, Right Place’ program to partner with communities to educate people about the value of planting trees, and doing it where those trees won’t interfere with power lines or other obstacles.”
With the concern for the Emerald Ash Borer on the rise, this planting helps diversify our urban canopy in regions we believe may be affected by the EAB.
“Our tough volunteers braved the cold winds” said Mallory Mitchell, Mason City Volunteer Coordinator. Twenty volunteers worked for several hours to complete the planting project.
