Tree planting grants make for a greener Kentucky in 2016

Organizations across Kentucky awarded Plant for the Planet grants by LG&E and KU

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — We all know trees beautify our natural landscapes, but they’re also a vital part of our ecosystem and play a key role in energy as well.  Trees help reduce energy bills by providing summer shade, winter warmth and winter windbreaks; benefits the Commonwealth will multiply and continue to enjoy long into the future thanks to partnerships funding tree planting projects across the state in 2016.

This year 15 organizations across nine Kentucky counties, including Henderson County Parks and Programs in Henderson County, are receiving 2016 Plant for the Planet grants.

The projects are funded, in part, by Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company’s Plant for the Planet grant program. The program awards matching grants in amounts of $500 to $5,000 to organizations with a history of successful tree plantings in the LG&E and KU service territories.

“We’ve been awarding program grants for the better part of 10 years now. During that time more than 37,000 trees have been planted and this year will add another 760 to that total,” said LG&E and KU Vice President of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs Laura Douglas. “Knowing the impact these projects have on our communities by enhancing the landscape and increasing the population of healthy trees for years to come is the real reward.”

Since the grant program’s launch in 2009, plantings have occurred in a range of urban and rural settings that offer public access, including parks and nature preserves.  Many successful projects have also used unique approaches to incorporate trees within other landscape settings. 

The Plant for the Planet program is modeled after the United Nations' Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign which promotes the planting of more than one billion trees annually by individuals, communities and businesses worldwide.

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Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 400,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 543,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.