Black Hills Energy Green Efforts

Black Hills Energy sponsors environmental or "green" programs because we know how important it is to conserve our community's natural resources. Conserving our environmental not only keeps our planet beautiful, but it also can save you money.

Read more about these programs by clicking on the links or visit the Web sites to learn how you can help.

Tree Conservation Programs

Environmental Research

Trees Forever & Trees for Kids/Teens

Did you know that adding trees around your home can increase its value by 15% or more? Trees greatly reduce heating and cooling costs by providing shade in the summer and a wind barrier in the winter.

For nearly 20 years, Black Hills Energy's Power of Trees program and the non-profit oranization Trees Forever have partnered to promote the benefits of tree planting in Iowa communities. Communities or non-profit organizations that sponsor tree-planting programs can receive grants from Trees Forever on behalf of Black Hills Energy. Not only does Trees Forever help conserve energy resources, but it also promotes volunteerism, helps reduce air pollution and promotes landscape beautification. Launched in 1989, Trees Forever is an Iowa-based nonprofit organization that has more than 30,000 volunteers, staff and partners across the state. In the almost 20 years Black Hills Energy has partnered with Trees Forever, more than...

• 60,500 trees have been planted
• 512 communities have been served
• 22,431 volunteers have put in more than 96,041 hours of work

Black Hills Energy is also working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to sponsor Trees for Kids and Trees for Teens to teach the importance of trees through hands-on landscaping projects at school.

For more information contact

Trees Forever: 800-369-1269 or www.treesforever.org

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: www.iowadnr.com/forestry/treesforkids.html

Environmental Research Funding

As a partner in the community Black Hills Energy sponsors two research centers in Iowa dedicated to protecting the valuable environmental resources that we rely on.

The Iowa Energy Center consistently demonstrates a commitment to improving Iowa's total energy picture. They are committed to improving how the state uses energy including use of renewable resources and educating homeowners on ways that they can improve the energy efficiency of their home. Log onto the Internet at www.energy.iastate.edu for more information on the Energy Center, funding opportunities and its programs.

The Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research works to help Iowans adapt to the need for increased environmental responsibility. They look at how global and regional environmental changes affect culture, human health and natural ecosystems.

For more information visit:

Iowa Energy Center: www.energy.iastate.edu

Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research: atmos.cgrer.uiowa.edu/

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