ATC awards $65,000 to 24 recipients for planting projects
American Transmission Co. has collectively awarded $65,000 to 24 recipients across its service area to plant trees and low-growing vegetation through its Community Planting and Pollinator Habitat programs. Now in its seventh year, ATC has given more than 240 community awards for these projects totaling more than $425,000.
Vegetation funded through the Community Planting Program requires that communities plant trees outside of high-voltage transmission line rights-of-way. Low-growing, compatible vegetation funded through the Pollinator Habitat Program allows entities to cultivate species within the rights-of-way that benefit pollinator food and habitat. Both programs help maintain electric reliability of the transmission system by keeping tall-growing vegetation outside the rights-of-way.
Recipients of both programs commit to comply with ATC’s maintenance standards for all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines.
Community Planting Program Recipients
“We recognize that trees and vegetation are among the features that make communities special places for residents and visitors,” said ATC Vegetation Management Manager Michelle Stokes. “While we can’t allow trees or tall‑growing vegetation in our rights‑of‑way, ATC’s Community Planting Program encourages and supports communities to plant trees and vegetation that will beautify communities in a way that doesn’t compromise the safety and reliability of the electric transmission system.”
The following entities received amounts ranging from $800 to $5,000 for planting projects on public property, outside the rights-of-way:
- City of Antigo will plant trees in Remington Lake Park
- City of Clintonville will plant trees along Roberts Street
- City of Ironwood, Mich. will plant trees along roads between downtown and schools
- City of Marinette will create tree-filled landscape beds by the high school and community recreation center
- City of Peshtigo will plant trees along the Peshtigo River
- City of Pittsville will replace trees lost in 2019 summer storms in and around city parks streets
- City of Plymouth will replace trees damaged by emerald ash borer infestation in the city park
- City of Port Washington will add more trees to the city’s parks and parkways
- City of Prairie due Chien will plant more diverse tree species at Feriole Island park
- City of Waupaca will replace trees throughout the city that were lost in 2019 summer storms
- Green Lake Sanitary District will restore pollinator habitat in five conservancies
- Mequon Nature Preserve will plant native tree and shrub seedlings within the preserve’s reforestation areas
- Outagamie County will plant more trees at Brewster Village nursing facility in Appleton
- Ozaukee County will plant native trees in Tendick Nature Park near Saukville
- Town of Rib Mountain will add trees to the town’s newest dog park
- Village of Bellevue will replace trees damaged by emerald ash borer infestation in the East River Trail Arboretum
- Village of Bristol will remove invasive trees and plant native oak trees in a village park
- Village of Rochester will start a small arboretum near the village hall and public library
Pollinator Habitat Program Recipients
“Part of the reason for the recent decline in pollinator populations is due to loss of habitat,” said ATC Environmental Project Manager Johanna Sievewright. “The Pollinator Habitat Program promotes vegetation that is both compatible with our vegetation management practices and it provides habitat for pollinators, which use the utility corridor as a flight path.”
The following entities received grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support pollinator habitat projects:
- City of Stevens Point will continue development of pollinator garden in Koziczkowski Park
- Community GroundWorks (now Rooted!) will convert a section of Troy Gardens on Madison’s north side into pollinator habitat, using goats to eradicate invasive vegetation
- Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT) will establish a native pollinator habitat within the Riverbend Conservancy in the town of Trenton
- Village of Grafton will create bioswale storm water retention areas with native pollinator-friendly plants in the First Avenue boulevard
- Village of Mount Pleasant will improve native pollinator habitat along the Pike River Pathway, helping monarch butterflies and the endangered rusty patched bumble bee
- Visit Sheboygan STEAM Inc. will convert unused asphalt areas near the new visitor’s center into an educational, pollinator-friendly greenspace
Both the Community Planting Program and Pollinator Planting Program are part of ATC’s Grow Smart® initiative, which advocates for and provides suggestions of low-growing, compatible vegetation that can be planted adjacent to and within transmission line rights-of-way. ATC will accept applications again for both programs from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2020.
