Kann organizes tree distribution programs
Senior Grace Kann is on a mission to share her love for the environment one tree at a time.
When she’s not volunteering to plant trees, she’s organizing city-wide tree distribution programs.
In fact, this Cornell environmental science and sustainability major created and implemented a tree distribution program for the City of Dubuque last year during her summer internship. And that was just the beginning.
“I created a tree coupon program to support the City of Dubuque’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan,” she said. “While working on the tree distribution program in Dubuque, I learned about Trees Forever, a non-profit in Marion, and the ReLeaf Plan, so I decided to ask them if I could recreate the Dubuque tree program for the ReLeaf Plan.”
That’s exactly what she did. For three blocks this fall, she worked with Trees Forever as her senior capstone project. Kann built and executed a new tree voucher program, which is now part of the nonprofit’s work to replant the tree canopy in Cedar Rapids following the 2020 derecho.
“I identified areas in most need of trees while incorporating an equity component, established partnerships with local tree nurseries, and designed information sessions to educate the community on how to properly plant and care for a tree,” Kann said.
Kann’s supervisor from Trees Forever, Kent VonBehren, says he can’t overestimate the importance of the information sessions.
“Grace created a way for us to achieve one of the most critical aspects of the plan, which is education and outreach,” VonBehren said. “The information sessions afford us the opportunity to engage with residents, hear what they’re thinking, solicit feedback, inform them about all the elements of the ReLeaf plan, and help them understand the myriad ways in which they can get involved if they want.”
The team passed out a total of 71 vouchers to Cedar Rapids residents before Kann handed the program over to Trees Forever at the end of Block 3.
“They are continuing the program throughout this winter and spring, and it will be part of their program for the remainder of the 10-year ReLeaf Plan,” Kann said. “I believe this program will make a major difference in the community. Not only are residents receiving a free or discounted tree (depending on the voucher amount), but they are also gaining necessary knowledge, that if followed correctly, will ensure the survival of the tree.”
Kann has been busy during her time at Cornell. She has also interned with the Izaak Walton League writing about water quality, and this semester she’s the storytelling and communications intern for Regen Registry through the Global Warming Mitigation Project’s Constellations Fellowship.
After only three years at Cornell, Kann is graduating early with plans to go into the Climate Corps or Green Corps before pursuing a career in environmental policy or planning. Her dream is to help pass legislation or implement climate action and sustainability programming, which she already knows a thing or two about after organizing not one, but two tree distribution programs as an undergrad.
