QTS Advances Cedar Rapids’ Tree Canopy Restoration With 4,000 New Trees Through Monarch Research’s Planting Forward Initiative

Effort supports recovery from the 2020 derecho, strengthens local ecosystems and aligns with QTS’s $10 billion investment in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. – Feb. 5, 2026 – QTS Data Centers (“QTS”), a Blackstone portfolio company, provided funding to support the planting of 4,000 trees in Cedar Rapids in 2025 in partnership with Monarch Research through its Planting Forward native tree restoration initiative. The effort is part of QTS’s five-year, $100,000 annual commitment to support the Planting Forward effort in Cedar Rapids Through this initiative, Monarch Research supplied native trees to community partners for planting across the city.

Monarch Research is a Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit and community leader in native habitat restoration. Following the 2020 derecho, which destroyed more than half of the city’s tree canopy, the organization launched Planting Forward to complement public-land restoration efforts by focusing on private property, where much of the canopy loss occurred. The initiative supports long-term canopy recovery while strengthening the local environment and community resilience.

“This work is about more than planting trees- it’s about restoring what was lost and investing in the future of our community,” said Clark McLeod, Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Research. “Support from QTS allows Planting Forward to put native trees directly into the hands of local partners and accelerate canopy recovery where it’s needed most.”

During the October 2025 planting season Monarch Research distributed 18,853 trees throughout Linn County through community partners, with 59%, or 11,123 trees, planted on Cedar Rapids properties. QTS funding supported the distribution of 4,000 of those trees, including 2,000 native oak trees, selected to reflect the region’s natural ecosystem and support biodiversity. QTS plans to continue this commitment, supporting the planting of a total of 20,000 trees in Cedar Rapids over five years.

Megan Hofmeyer, Director of Sustainability, QTS said: “QTS is dedicated to supporting the Cedar Rapids community beyond infrastructure development. Through our collaborations with organizations such as the Monarch Research Project, our tree planting initiative exemplifies the integration of sustainable growth and environmental stewardship. We are committed to restoring native species and making a meaningful, long-term contribution for future generations.” 

As part of a planned multi-billion-dollar investment in the city, QTS is developing a state-of-the-art data center campus in partnership with local leaders—an investment that will drive long-term economic growth, create more than 2,000 jobs, and foster a culture of sustainability and community engagement. This tree planting initiative also supports the City of Cedar Rapids’ ReLeaf Cedar Rapids program and is just one example of QTS’s broader commitment to Cedar Rapids and the region. Additionally, as part of its long-term commitment, QTS is contributing up to $18 million to the Cedar Rapids-owned Community Betterment Fund and investing in other local non-profit organizations to further support the community.