If you have ever wanted to learn more about Iowa's native trees, grasses and wildflowers, you'll have a chance to do so in a series of classes being offered in the area this spring and summer. Trees Forever will be offering its popular Stewards of the Beautiful Land program in Scott County this year.

Trees Forever's Stewards of the Beautiful Land program is designed to educate participants about the role and use of native trees, grasses and wildflowers in community, rural and home landscaping projects. Trees Forever staff will lead four different, monthly class sessions from June through September. Other participating partners include the Scott County Conservation Board, Scott County Extension & Outreach, the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Nahant Marsh. The first class starts June 11.

The Stewards of the Beautiful Land program will cover topics such as:
• Native plant identification
• Benefits and use of native plant species
• Design principles
• Planting practices
• Establishment and maintenance techniques
• Project Funding

In addition, class members will also help plan and plant a small local project using native plants.

The four-part series of classes begins on Tuesday, June 11, at the Nahant Marsh, 4220 Wapello Avenue. Subsequent classes will be held at other locations around Scott County. Participants should plan to travel to all four classes for the entire educational experience. Classes will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and include classroom-style instruction as well as outdoor field study.

There is no cost to participate in the Stewards of the Beautiful Land program, but space is limited. No prior experience with or knowledge of native trees and plants is necessary, only a commitment to actively participate in the class series and the planting project.

To register for Trees Forever's 2013 Stewards of the Beautiful Land program, or to get more information, visit the events calendar at www.treesforever.org. You can also contact Dustin Hinrichs at dhinrichs@treesforever.org or 319-373-0650 ext. 124, or Mark Pingenot at mpingenot@treesforever.org or 319-560-9079, for more information. The deadline for registration is May 31.

Trees Forever is an Iowa-based nonprofit environmental organization focused on community tree planting, water quality initiatives, and roadway and trail enhancements. The Stewards of the Beautiful Land program is funded by the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund (www.iowalivingroadway.com).

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DES MOINES, IA (05/09/2013)(readMedia)-- With graduation season upon us, there is no better time than now to start planning for the future. Whether your children are graduating from grade school or high school, a contribution to their College Savings Iowa 529 Plan account is a great way to show how proud of them you are!

Saving for college is one of the most significant things you can do for a loved one. With the cost of a college education rising faster than inflation, the majority of families will have to plan ahead in order to meet the challenges of paying for their children's higher education. My advice is to start saving early and to save regularly. Even a small amount of money, saved on a regular basis over an extended period of time, can grow into a substantial amount. Saving early may help reduce a family's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which will help parents - and their children - get through college with less debt.

While any form of saving for college is better than not saving at all, there are advantages to using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa. Administered by the state treasurer's office, College Savings Iowa offers multiple investment choices, including four age-based options that take into account the child's age and the account owner's tolerance for risk. As a general rule, age-based accounts opened for younger beneficiaries are heavily invested in stocks early on; these accounts try to maximize returns by taking advantage of the longer time horizon. As the beneficiary nears college age, the assets are automatically shifted to more conservative portfolios. This allows you to protect your capital and reduce the market risk before you begin making withdrawals for college expenses.

In addition, 529 plans offer significant federal and state tax benefits to help grow your savings even more. Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Iowa state income taxes while invested and remain tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. Iowa taxpayers who are participants in College Savings Iowa are also allowed to deduct up to $3,045 in contributions per beneficiary account from their 2013 adjusted gross income.*

With initial and ongoing contribution amounts as low as $25, College Savings Iowa is an affordable way for families to save in order to meet the rising costs of higher education. College Savings Iowa's multiple contribution methods, including electronic investment options that allow you to transfer money directly from an existing checking or savings account, make it easy for busy families to save regularly and manage their accounts.

As a way to help families start saving, we are celebrating 529 College Savings Day on May 29 and giving away a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account. For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com anytime before May 29.

While a college education is an investment that lasts for a lifetime, the season to save for it is a lot like summer vacation - much shorter than you think. Start saving today and help make college a reality for a child in your life - you'll be glad you did! For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.my529iowaplan.com or call 888-672-9116.

* Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

Mankato, MN...Minnesota State University, Mankato will graduate more than 1,500 students during spring commencement exercises to be held Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Bresnan Arena at the Taylor Center on the Minnesota State Mankato campus.  Included among the graduates is Jamie Fleetwood of Davenport with a BS in Speech Communication

Undergraduate students receiving recognition include 130 students graduating summa cum laude, 319 students graduating magna cum laude and 245 students graduating cum laude.

Awarded at the undergraduate level will be 31 associate of arts degrees, 147 bachelor of arts degrees, 41 bachelor of fine arts degrees, 1,611 bachelor of science degrees, 100 bachelor of science in engineering degrees, 15 bachelor of arts in athletic training, and 32 bachelor of science in social work degrees.

Graduate level degrees presented will include 111 master of arts degrees, three master of arts in teaching degrees, 13 master of business administration degrees, 31 master of fine arts degrees, two master of music degrees, 16 master of public administration degrees, 184 master of science degrees, one master of social work degree, and 18 specialist in educational leadership degrees.

Advanced degrees include three doctorate of nursing practice degrees, three doctorate of education degrees and two doctorate of psychology degrees. Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with over 15,400 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, which comprises 31 state institutions.

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