The City of Marion, in partnership with Monarch Research, is excited to announce the Marion Native Tree Right-of-Way (ROW) Enrichment Pilot for area residents. The primary goal of the city-wide initiative is to provide residents and landowners, subject to right-of-way easements, with native Iowa trees to replace the estimated 40 percent of trees lost during the 2020 derecho, and to establish new growth in areas that were previously vacant.
This new initiative provides native trees specifically targeting right-of-way areas. The pilot allows residents and landowners who register online, to receive up to three, 3-gallon trees and protection, including trunk guards – provided by Monarch Research. By becoming community Tree Ambassadors, residents will plant, protect and care for trees in the right-of-way areas near their homes. They may also reach out to neighbors who do not have the ability to plant and care for trees themselves.
“We will enhance our right-of-way tree canopy in Marion in the way we responded to the derecho, through partnerships," said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. "We are grateful to Monarch Research for helping us empower our residents as a planting force, providing a diversity of high-quality native trees. Marion streetscapes will be beautified for generations to follow.”
The pilot will be limited to the first 250 property owners who register between Sept. 10 and Sept. 23, 2022. With a successful pilot, the initiative will expand in 2023.
“This pilot empowers residents to help their neighbors, friends, family members and community rebuild and restore what was lost,” said Clark McLeod, founder of Monarch Research. “Not only will it make the community more attractive, but it will restore the ecosystem for future generations.”
Members of the City’s Urban Forestry Division will provide inspection services to verify species, location and the number of trees to adequately cover the available right-of-way for each of the 250 properties, in addition to the long-term maintenance of the trees.
Residents and landowners interested in participating in the pilot should view details and tree species options online.
Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/ROWpilot or monarchresearch.org.
Original source can be found here.
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