Bredehoeft recognized as Trees Forever hero

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Spencer Parks & Recreation Director, Delray Bredehoeft, was recently honored as one of Trees Forever's top 20 volunteers in the history of the Iowa program at its 20th anniversary celebration. [Order this photo]

Local community volunteer and tree advocate, Delray Bredehoeft, director of Spencer's Parks Department, was recently honored by Trees Forever at their 20th Anniversary Celebration in Coralville. Bredehoeft was named one of the Top 20 Volunteers representing the group's first 20 years.

"It's always great to be recognized by your peers for whatever you do," said Bredehoeft, who noted the important role that Trees Forever has played in helping make Spencer a tree city in Iowa. "From the north end of town to the south, you can find illustrations, evidence everywhere of what we've done. That's what we wanted to do with the program.

He added, "To be a part of that, I'm certainly very proud of that."

As the Parks & Recreation director in Spencer, and as a community volunteer, Bredehoeft has motivated and led a group of outstanding local volunteers. Together, they have accomplished an amazing list of greening projects that make Spencer a better place to live.

"What's almost as important (as Trees Forever) is the number of volunteers we've had over the years that have helped plant the trees. We try to make it a very fun event and something that everyone can participate in regardless of their physical abilities. We match people up, based on what they can do," Bredehoeft said.

Part of Trees Forever's function is to coordinate not only the tree planting program, but the funding necessary to make it happen. Bredehoeft credited both Spencer Municipal Utilities and Black Hills Energy, formerly Aquila, for making the tree planting program possible with financial support.

This year's planting project will be a direct tie-in with the Grand Avenue Beautification effort, targeting the north triangle on Grand Avenue between 17th and 18th streets.

"Normally we try to tie it in with Earth Week or Arbor Day," said Bredehoeft. "Typically we shoot for around the first of May, but because of the project areas we're going into, I think we're going to have fall plantings."

The award was presented at a special 20th Anniversary Celebration held at the Marriott Hotel in Coralville. Bredehoeft was unable to attend the festivities. Over 250 Trees Forever volunteers, partners, sponsors and supporters attended the gala event. Several categories of award honorees were announced that evening. Attendees enjoyed several displays highlighting Trees Forever's many programs and projects, both local and national, completed over the past 20 years.

Iowa author John T. Price was the keynote speaker at the evening banquet and awards ceremony. Earlier in the day, Trees Forever hosted a writer's workshop featuring David Zimmerman, an English professor and author from Iowa State University. In addition, there was a nature photography presentation by nationally recognized photographer Bob Campagna from Colorado.

Trees Forever was started in Cedar Rapids, in 1989 by two volunteers who wanted to promote the planting of more trees. According to Founding President Shannon Ramsay, "We began Trees Forever as an organization that involved volunteers in every project. Today we remain as committed as ever to volunteer grassroots efforts, involving over 8,700 volunteers during 2008 alone. They have helped plant more than 2.8 million trees with a survival rate of over 90 percent. Active involvement of volunteers along with a host of wonderful partners and sponsors, have been key to our success."

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Trees Forever, Black Hills Energy work to fund Spencer effort

Volunteers and community leaders in Spencer are planting trees to provide shade and save energy through Trees Forever and the Black Hills Energy Power of Trees program.

Black Hills Energy will award $62,850 in grants to assist 32 Iowa communities and groups with tree-planting projects this year. Spencer will receive $6,288 for its ambitious tree-planting project.

"We're looking forward to working with Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy this year to bring our long-term planting project to life," says Delray Bredehoeft. "This opportunity brings us together while making our city more beautiful. We're making a significant impact in our environment by simply planting trees in the community."

The Power of Trees Program is a state-wide grant program where Black Hills Energy, Trees Forever and Iowa communities work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness, and community stewardship in Iowa.

"Tree's Forever and Black Hills Energy are committed to improving the environment and our quality of life. This is especially important after the great loss and damage to trees and green spaces from last year's storms and flooding, "said Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever President and CEO. "We thank our local volunteers in Spencer for their dedication and hard work and look forward to helping with positive solutions this year -- tree by tree, neighborhood by neighborhood."