ATC continues Community Planting Program to fund tree planting
Program offers communities financial support for planting projects on public property
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – American Transmission Co. will begin accepting applications on June 1 for its Community Planting Program, which provides financial support for planting projects on public property to eligible cities, villages, towns, counties and tribes in ATC’s service area.
Now in its fourth year, the program is targeted toward communities where ATC transmission facilities exist. Since its inception, ATC has awarded nearly $190,000 to 131 eligible municipalities and counties.
To qualify, communities must commit that all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines will comply with ATC’s maintenance standards. “Trees and transmission lines are an unsafe combination,” said Mark Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Applying for funding through the Community Planting Program gives communities across our service area an opportunity to beautify their public space. By planting trees and other vegetation outside of the transmission line rights-of-way, these communities help ATC keep the transmission lines safe and reliable.”
ATC is accepting applications through Sept. 30, and award recipients will be selected and announced by the end of the year. ATC will accept one application per community, and the awards range from $100 to $5,000. The Community Planting Program is part of the Grow Smart initiative, which is directed toward individual landowners and advocates planting low-growing, native vegetation in transmission line rights-of-way. Additional information, including a brochure and eligibility information, is available on ATC’s Grow Smart website at atc-GrowSmart.com.
