BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama Power Foundation and the Alabama Urban Forestry Association have teamed for the seventh consecutive year to award local communities grants to purchase trees for parks, schoolyards and other public spaces.

“Planting trees improves the environment, which, in turn, improves the quality of life in our communities,” said Charles McCrary, Alabama Power president and CEO. “It is with pride and pleasure that the Alabama Power Foundation supports this fine effort.”

This year, the Urban and Community Tree Assistance Program is providing $70,000 in grants to communities throughout the state. Over the past seven years, more than $370,000 in grants has been distributed to more than 300 cities, counties, schools and community groups.

“As Alabama’s cities expand, and we develop more of our state’s natural areas, it is even more important to care for our existing trees, and plant new ones,” said Shelley Green, executive director of the Alabama Urban Forestry Association. “Trees, parks and green spaces not only provide the foundation for attractive landscapes and a peaceful environment, but give all of us numerous economic, ecological and social benefits.”

Designed to encourage the planting of trees in urban and community settings, the grant program is the only one of its kind in Alabama. Many communities pair tree grants with federal funds that can be used for projects such as tree-planting master plans or tree inventories.

For more than a decade, the Alabama Power Foundation has helped fund thousands of worthy projects across the state. Supporting creative ways to preserve and enhance Alabama’s natural beauty is one of the foundation’s top priorities. For more information about the foundation, log onto www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.3 million customers across the state. More information about Alabama Power is available at www.alabamapower.com.

More information about the Alabama Urban Forestry Association is available at www.aufa.com.