FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
NIPSCO PARTICIPATES IN ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN INDIANA
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. - Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is participating in several Arbor Day activities throughout northern Indiana this month. The events are supported through NIPSCO's Forestry Operations department and NIPSCO's tree contracting companies, Asplundh Tree Experts and Davey Tree Company.
"We are committed to improving the urban forests in the communities we serve," said Jim Barnhart, NIPSCO's Forestry Operations supervisor. "These events are an opportunity for NIPSCO to educate people about the importance of proper tree planting, tree-trimming and tree care to help ensure electric reliability."
According to Barnhart, electric outages can be deterred by planting low-growing trees or by planting a tree in the right place, such as away from overhead power lines.
During April, more than 2,000 seedlings are being distributed to various participants at the events, and at least 40 trees of various species will be planted. The company is also handing out informational brochures on "Planting the Right Tree in the Right Place." Tree planting events have already taken place this month in Hammond, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Portage and Cedar Lake.
NIPSCO has participated in these types of events across all of northern Indiana for more than eight years. The company's forestry efforts have been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation for eight consecutive years and NIPSCO has been recognized as a Tree Line USA company, the only investor-owned utility in the state to ever receive the award.
"While Earth Day and Arbor Day events are timely to help promote the importance of trees throughout NIPSCO's customer communities, we partner with communities all year long," said Barnhart. "We work with communities to identify, remove and replace problem trees that interfere with overhead wires. We help plant compatible tree species that can mitigate electrical outages while preserving environmental integrity."
April 25, 2001
Julia Van De Water, Manager
NIPSCO Communications
(219) 647-6375
Planting and Trimming Noted as Important to Electric Reliability
April 25, 1:30 p.m., White Oak Park, Munster, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO, DLZ Indiana, and Town of Munster Parks Department.
School Town of Munster fifth graders will be starting their own tree nursery by planting 300 seedlings on school grounds adjacent to White Oak Park. NIPSCO & DLZ Indiana are donating seedlings. Crews from Asplundh Tree Expert Company. will be on-hand to assist with the planting and furnish wood chips. Following this event, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will present the Town of Munster with their 2001 Tree City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. NIPSCO will commemorate this accomplishment by donating six large trees to the Munster Parks Department.
April 26, Haglund Street Park, Burns Harbor, Ind.
NIPSCO will donate five large Flowering Crabapple trees to the Town of Burns Harbor and plant them at Lakeland Park. The trees will add to existing crabapples lining the park's multi-use path.
April 27, 9:00 a.m., Johns Street Park, Angola, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Expert Company. Asplundh Tree will donate three large Red Oak trees for planting at the Memorial Tree Area in Commons Park. Area students will be assisting Asplundh employees with the planting.
April 27, 9:00 a.m., 130 North Liberty Street, Hobart, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and DLZ Indiana. NIPSCO will donate large trees for planting at Liberty Elementary School. Employees of Asplundh Tree Expert Company. will be assisting students with the plantings. Also, over 300 tree seedlings will be distributed to students and teachers.
April 27, 9:30 a.m., 220 N. Liberty Street, Plymouth, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO & Asplundh Tree Expert Company. NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree will each donate two large trees for planting at Lincoln Junior High. Asplundh employees will plant two Prairiefire Crabapples and two Autumn Blaze Maples with help from the school's sixth graders. Also, tree seedlings will be distributed to participating students courtesy of NIPSCO.
April 27, 2:20 p.m., 408 West 10th St., LaPorte, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Asplundh Tree Expert Company. Asplundh Tree will donate three Flowering Crabapple trees for planting at Handley Elementary School. Students will be assisting Asplundh employees with the plantings.
April 27, 5:00 p.m., 310 N. Huntington, Ind.
Sponsored by NIPSCO and Town of Syracuse Parks & Recreation Dept. NIPSCO will donate two White Ash and two Green Ash for planting at the Town Hall in conjunction with the Town's Arbor Day festivities. A NIPSCO forester will be on hand to conduct a tree planting demonstration highlighting proper planting techniques.
April 27, Michigan City, Ind.
NIPSCO will donate two large Amur Maple trees and 250 tree seedlings to the Michigan City Tree Board as part of Michigan City's Arbor Day festivities.
April 2001, Duneland Bike Trail at 23rd Street, Chesterton, Ind.
NIPSCO has donated funds to the Chesterton Tree Committee for the planting of 10 large trees along the bike trail.
NIPSCO, with headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). With approximately 700,000 natural gas customers and 430,000 electric customers across the northern third of Indiana, NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state. NiSource distribution companies serve 3.6 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. More information about NIPSCO is available at www.nipsco.com.