ATC receives Innovations in Urban Forestry Award
Community Planting Program helps beautify communities
PEWAUKEE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, advisory council to the Department of Natural Resources, has selected American Transmission Co. to receive its annual Innovations in Urban Forestry Award. The award was presented to ATC for its Grow Smart Community Planting Program, which over the past two years has awarded $130,000 to more than 90 communities for planting projects.
“Our Community Planting Program connects us with the communities that we serve,” said Mark Davis, ATC vice president of asset management. “It helps to beautify the communities within our service area and supports our obligation to ensure the reliability of the electric transmission system by encouraging plantings that are compatible with the safe operation of the electric transmission system.”
Now in its second year, ATC’s Community Planting Program provides eligible municipalities and counties in its service area with funding for planting projects on public property. To qualify, applicant communities must commit to complying with ATC’s maintenance standards for all current and future planting plans and urban forestry activities near high-voltage electric transmission lines.
The Community Planting Program is part of ATC’s Grow Smart initiative – a program that promotes planting a safe distance from transmission lines to help ensure public safety and electric system reliability. The Community Planting Program reinforces this initiative by encouraging the planting of tall-growing trees and other vegetation outside transmission line rights-of-way.
About the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is an appointed group of urban forestry experts who advise the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. More information about the council can be found here.
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