IWOA sponsored planting of 325 trees in its third Legacy Planting on Arbor Day, Friday, April 24. The planting was held at Benton County Conservation’s 85-acre Roundhouse Park located on the northeast corner of Atkins. All trees planted were native hardwood seedlings. The park was devastated in August 10, 2020 Derecho windstorm which destroyed or damaged nearly all of the trees in the once forested area. Over the past four years Benton County Conservation has removed the damaged trees and initiated a re-forestation effort.
This Legacy Planting was conducted as part of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s America 250 Tree Planting Initiative in honor of our nation’s 250th Anniversary. Over 50 people participated in the planting which was completed in three hours. Volunteers came from the Benton Community FFA Chapter, Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter and City of Atkins. Employees of Benton County Conservation organized the planting. IWOA board members President Steve Meyer, Vice-president Tim Meyer and Ed Kocal were on hand to assist also. Elementary students fro9m Benton Community Schools were also transported to the site and given tree planting and tree care demonstrations.
IWOA Legacy Plantings are conducted to honor past board members, people who have made significant contributions to woodland’s conservation in Iowa and to commemorate special events. In 2024 and 2025, IWOA conducted Legacy Plantings in Polk County to honor past board members Tom Brady and Dave Bartemes. Those two projects were organized and spearheaded by Polk County Conservation and resulted in planting around 1,000 native tree seedlings.
Group photo of some of the team involved in planting. More photos are available in the photo gallery.