Tree grant received for planting project

MONTE VISTA— The City of Monte Vista Tree Board has received a $2,000 grant from the Xcel Energy Vegetation Management/Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) grant program for their Sanchez Park Tree Planting Project schedule for Friday, May 17th at 10 a.m.
The Xcel grant will provide funding to plant appropriate trees in Sanchez Park under power lines, which will maximize shade, aesthetic and windbreak value. The desired outcome is to increase use by adding to the comfort and beauty of this park as a recreational site for the neighborhood and visitors.
Tree species were selected from the list of appropriate trees to plant under or near distribution power lines in the Xcel publication, “The Right Tree”. The Board also referenced the USDA Plants Database and observed how well newer varieties of planted trees in the San Luis Valley are growing. Species diversity was emphasized by choosing three different species.
The City of Monte Vista Tree Board will use the tree planting as an opportunity to educate its youth in hands-on environmental stewardship, such as it recently did at Marsh Park, the Faith Hinckley Veterans Memorial Park and Montez Skate Park as part of the city’s annual Arbor Day celebration, and at the new Shriver-Wright State Wildlife Area. Invitations will be extended to Kids Connection and elementary schools to participate as their schedule allows.  
The Sanchez Park tree planting project will include volunteers that will be educated on proper tree selection, design, planting, care, and maintenance practices espoused by the Colorado Tree Coalition, Xcel, Colorado State Forest Service and Tree City USA program. The planting of trees is planned for May as part of Arbor Day, which will be covered by local newspapers and radio stations, and will serve as an opportunity to further the message of CTC and its partners.  A long-term opportunity also exists with area residents to demonstrate desirable tree species through placards on specific tree species
Thanks to on-going financial and administrative support from the USDA Forest Service and the Colorado State Forest Service, dues-paying members, and financial partners, the Colorado Tree Coalition has awarded 484 grants totaling nearly $801,000 since 1991.  These grants have been matched with over $7.8 million in community money and/or time. As a result of these grants 73,750 trees have been planted throughout the state.


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