The WACO Community School District in Wayland has been awarded a $30,000 Iowa Tree Planting Grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, according to a social media post from the district — a welcome piece of news for a school community still recovering from severe weather damage earlier this spring.
On the evening of April 14th, severe storms moved through Wayland and caused significant damage around WACO Junior-Senior High School while the WACO soccer team was hosting Danville. Strong winds destroyed the press box, a section of a grain bin came to rest on the soccer field, debris was scattered across Roth Field, and the agri-science center also sustained damage. A school staff member in the press box managed to get students to safety before the structure was destroyed, and no injuries were reported.
While the National Weather Service initially classified the event as strong winds combined with a gustnado rather than a confirmed tornado, Henry County Emergency Manager Walt Jackson described it as a “freak” tornado, and both the City of Wayland and Henry County issued tornado declarations of disaster — activating disaster assistance programs that require damage exceeding $99,000 to qualify for aid. The storm was part of a broader severe weather outbreak that produced multiple tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds across eastern Iowa. In the days that followed, students, staff, and community volunteers came together to clear debris from the campus.
The $30,000 tree planting grant will allow the district to add new trees throughout its campus, creating more shade, enhancing the grounds, and providing a more welcoming environment for students, staff, families, and visitors. The grant is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, supporting efforts to expand and strengthen Iowa’s community tree canopy while creating healthier public spaces.
Beyond the aesthetic improvements, the district said the project will serve as a hands-on learning opportunity for students, who will have the chance to help plant and care for the trees — building a sense of ownership and learning about environmental stewardship in the process.
The district expressed gratitude to the Iowa DNR, USDA Forest Service, and the Inflation Reduction Act for helping make the project possible, noting that the trees will benefit the WACO community for generations to come.
