Trees Forever Inc.

“Board of directors was provided draft of 990 for review at board meeting with time for review and discussion with auditor and tax preparer prior to filing. Finance committee given authority by the board for final approval which was obtained before submission.”

“The organization annually requires the officers and directors to review the conflict of interest policy, and reminds them of the requirement to disclose any conflict of interest. Organization is small enough that noncompliance would be recognized easily.”

“Compensation is compared to similar positions in the local market. Trees forever participates in salary surveys in related industries in order to obtain reports and benchmark data.”

“Compensation is compared to similar positions in the local market. Trees forever participates in salary surveys in related industries in order to obtain reports and benchmark data.”

“Organization maintains their own website. Governing documents are available to the public upon request or from the iowa secretary of state's office or 3rd party gatekeeper site (i.e. Candid). Policies are available upon request. The most current financial statements (audit) is available on the trees forever website. The most current 990 is available on the trees forever website.”

“Trees forever mission is to plant and care for trees and the environment by empowering people, building community and promoting stewardship. Our philosophy has always been to involve people in projects that educate them in ways that ensure long term sustainability. For example, trees planted in participating communities have a survival rate of 91%. Trees forever achieves this through cutting-edge programs and innovative practices. Our trained and experienced staff assists and engages an average of 7,000 volunteers, community leaders and landowners across iowa and illinois with thousands of planting projects each year. We do this by engaging volunteers in thorough planning processes that result in projects with the best chance for success, by providing friendly and knowledgeable assistance to community volunteers and leaders who are interested in planting and caring for trees and natural areas, and by working with rural landowners who are committed to planting strips of land with native trees and prairie plant species for the multiple benefits these plants provide them and the larger community. Metrics of accomplishments for each program area are available by viewing our annual report at treesforever.org.”

“Growing community forests: trees forever helps communities grow and care for their community forests by providing grant funding with friendly and knowledgeable assistance to volunteers and leaders who are interested in planting and caring for trees and natural areas. Trees forever provides assistance with disaster preparedness planning and recovery. The massive recovery effort that began after the august 2020 derecho that struck iowa and illinois continued in 2024. 6,160 trees have been planted on street rights-of-way and in parks in the city of cedar rapids since the derecho. More than 13,000 affordable trees have been distributed to residents for private land replanting. Education and volunteer outreach programs are also progressing. Trees forever planted approximately another 2,480 trees in the city of des moines in 2024. Trees forever will continue to lead the replanting effort, particularly in cedar rapids, the city with the greatest number of tree loss and damage. Trees forever is helping prepare teenagers in iowa for the future workforce through growing futures. Through this youth employment program, high school students in des moines and cedar rapids are hired to plant and care for public trees. In 2024, a total of 79 students were hired with 44 students returning for consecutive seasons. They planted 3,482 trees, watered 60,449 times, and provided maintenance to numerous trees as needed while also receiving valuable training and enhancing their workplace readiness. Trees forever also provides grant funding to encourage community forest improvement: in 2024, 120 projects were awarded funding in communities to plant trees. Overall, more than 9,100 trees were planted in community forests.”

“In 2024 trees forever educated people of all ages to care for trees: trees forever provides informative programs and hands-on learning experiences that build participants' knowledge of tree care, environmental stewardship, and conservation. In 2024 through the stewards of the beautiful land program (sobl) with the iowa dot, trees forever hosted webinars that engaged over 500 participants on various topics related to conservation and tree planting and care. Also, through the stewards of the beautiful land educational program, various hands-on field days included plant and tree id, seed harvest, prairie walks and planting events that engaged more than 300 volunteers/participants. Another program that is also part of stewards of the beautiful land, is the living roadway trust fund community assistance program with the iowa dot. Nearly 40 events and activities across the state of iowa were attended by staff to present, educate and provide information that is available on conservation practices and urban forestry to over 2,000 students & adults. Not to mention city municipalities that were visited by trees forever field coordinators in person across iowa with that receive the same information . Finally, more than 230 people attended the treekeepers program online and inperson in iowa and illinois. The treekeeper program trains and educates volunteers to support urban forestry in their hometowns. 16 people graduated from the in person educational trainings.”

“Landscaping roads & trails: trees forever works with volunteers and leaders to make our communities better places for current and for future generations. We do this by leading planning that results in successful projects. In 2024, 10 communities participated in the visioning process and more than 1,121 volunteers participated with nearly 1,700 volunteer hours were logged.”