Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility and Trees Forever announced they are awarding $115,050 to 25 Iowa communities or organizations through their Branching Out community tree planting program this fall.

Alliant Energy provides funding for Branching Out, a nationally recognized program. It partners with Trees Forever and local community leaders to develop and implement public tree-planting projects. The program supports energy efficiency with strategic planting locations and designs. It also improves the quality of life, increases environmental awareness, and encourages volunteer involvement.

“We hope that by investing in tree planting and education, our customers will learn more about the energy efficiency and sustainability benefits trees offer,” said Tom Aller, President of Alliant Energy’s Iowa utility. “This is one of the ways we are working with our communities and customers to help create a more sustainable future.”

Alliant Energy provides grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects in communities it serves. These can be at parks, community gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools, and more. Trees Forever administers the Branching Out program and provides technical and planning support.

Since the beginning of the Branching Out program in 1989, communities and organizations have planted more than 1.4 million trees and seedlings in Iowa.

“Every Branching Out project focuses on long-term tree care, with a special emphasis on energy efficiency and conservation,” said Shannon Ramsay, founding president of Trees Forever. “We are pleased to continue our long partnership with Alliant Energy, in a combined effort to educate Iowans about the importance of trees and improving our environment, one community at a time.”

Organizations can submit grant applications anytime. However, funding is only decided during two grant-making cycles – November 1 for spring plantings and June 1 for fall plantings.

In Atlantic, $5,000 is being awarded to Cass County Memorial Hospital.

For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269 or visit alliantenergy.com/branchingout or treesforever.org.

An open house for the newly opened Visitor Center at Lewis and Clark State Park will be held this Friday, August 23rd, from 2 to 3 p.m.  The Visitor Center, overlooking Blue Lake, showcases five replica boats used on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including one that is fully operational, educational displays focusing on the flora and fauna discovered in the Monona County area during the expedition, and displays depicting  how the historic expedition was carried out.

The construction of the Visitor Center was made possible by support from Monona County, The Friends of Lewis and Clark State Park and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

With school in full swing in most parts of Iowa, parents once again face that early morning decision – is my child too sick for school? School districts often provide guidelines for keeping children out of the classroom and the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) encourages parents to keep their children home from school when ill not only for their own child’s health, but to avoid the spread of disease to other students.

“There are times when a parent can clearly see their child is too ill for school,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Other times, it’s not so clear. While we understand the challenges parents who work outside the home face when trying to accommodate a child who needs to stay home from school, it’s so important that children who have a contagious illness don’t come to class to stop them from spreading whatever they have to the other children. ”

In general, symptoms that indicate a day home from school is needed and consulting with the child’s health care provider is appropriate include:

fever (temperature higher than 100.4 degrees F. when taken by mouth);
severe sore throat that lasts more than 48 hours, especially when accompanied by a fever;
a significant rash, particularly when other symptoms are present;
sores in the mouth with drooling;
red eyes (pink eye);
skin infection with erupting sores;
severe ear pain;
an uncontrolled cough or difficulty breathing;
diarrhea;
vomiting more than 2 times in 24 hours;
severe headache, especially with a fever or
any symptoms that suggest a more serious illness, such as sluggishness, persistent crying, or irritability.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children may be allowed to return to school after symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours. For information on specific childhood illnesses and what to do regarding school attendance, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/common/pdf/childhood_illness_guide.pdf.