Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship
Syngenta and Trees Forever

Along with their beauty, trees provide an enormous range of environmental benefits. That’s why Syngenta supports Trees Forever, a Midwest organization that since 1989 has spearheaded tree-planting programs in more than 650 communities across Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.

Farmers and other private landowners benefit when trees are used in buffers along streams and rivers, where they intercept field runoff and sediment. Since its founding, Trees Forever has helped private landowners plant 125 miles of streamside buffers. Trees Forever also provide important advantages around livestock operations.

Syngenta is lending support to two of this group’s grassroots projects: the Illinois Buffer Partnership, and, in Iowa, the Working Watersheds – Buffers and Beyond™ program.

Illinois Buffer Partnership Achieves Five-Year Milestones

The Illinois Buffer Partnership uses flexible design to help accomplish its long-term goals. This group was launched in 2001 by Trees Forever in partnership with Syngenta, the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, and others.

Each year, the Illinois Buffer Partnership is developing 20 new demonstration projects to show how tree stands along rivers and streams will effectively intercept field runoff. And its approach to flexible design allows the landowner to choose the trees, shrubs and grass species that best fit their local farm and conform with their goals for the property.

By the end of 2005, the program has helped established 100 buffer sites throughout Illinois, with more than 40 miles of streams being buffered and more than 3,500 acres of buffers planted or enhanced. Projects have also been initiated around livestock operations.

A Trees Forever field coordinator works directly with each landowner to create a customized plan that takes advantage of local resources. Cost sharing is available to program participants, with resources coming from both government and corporate sponsors, including Syngenta.

Some of the techniques being used include buffers, stream bank stabilization, stream channel enhancements, constructed wetlands, and plantings around livestock facilities. These approaches are then shared with neighbors and friends at local field demonstration days.

Among the many success stories is the Old Prairie Pork Farm in Strawn, Ill. In 2003, it was named one of four Environmental Stewardship Award winners by the National Pork Checkoff Board and National Hog Farmer magazine for a program it initiated through the Illinois Buffer Partnership. By planting 700 hybrid willows that year, the farmer was able to vertically disperse dust, reducing odor concerns around the hog operation. The trees also screened buildings from the road and provided a sound barrier.

Iowa Focus is on Working Watersheds

In 2003, the Trees Forever program in Iowa sharpened its focus on watersheds when it went a step beyond the previous, five-year Iowa Buffer Initiative to become the more comprehensive Trees Forever Working Watersheds – Buffers and Beyond™.

The program’s reach is measured by these late 2005 statistics: 16 demonstration sites, three watershed groups, 136 volunteers, 1,147 volunteer hours, and 42,990 trees and shrubs. Syngenta is among the program’s sponsors.

Like other Trees Forever projects, Working Watersheds – Buffers and Beyond uses demonstration projects to plant trees, shrubs and grasses. It also strives for enhanced economic return for landowners by introducing specialty crops into buffers when possible.

The key to success is the lasting, healthy buffer – which has been shown to filter up to 90 percent of sediment, nutrients and other pollutants before they can enter a stream or river. Conservation practices like stream bank stability and constructed wetlands are both part of extensive riparian buffer systems introduced through the project.

Recognizing that landowner buy-in is critical to success, Working Watersheds – Buffer and Beyond includes a Trees Forever program that appeals to the aesthetic quality of improved property. The program VIEW (Visual Investments to Enhance Watersheds) involves landscape design consultants to assess and design targeted best management practices for watershed rehabilitation. A Trees Forever field coordinator leads the effort. By involving the landscape design expert with local property owners and other affected parties, a more visionary and strategic approach is realized.

The VIEW participants assess their local natural, cultural and aesthetic resources. They identify and prioritize the watershed’s community needs and then develop a watershed community vision concept plan. After identifying potential funding sources, they initiate the first phase of landscape enhancement.

The VIEW program meets an important need in both urban and mixed urban and rural communities. By getting more people involved, it creates a larger sense of ownership for the watershed. That fits with the slogan for Tree Forever – Together We Grow.

In 2005 Syngenta was a Trees Forever President’s Award Winner, and received a key partner certificate from the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation for its partnership efforts with Trees Forever.


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