Indiana Michigan Power and the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend kicked off a new partnership to help zoo animals in 2021 by launching the Branch to Browse program. It's an initiative that will utilize I&M’s forestry program to feed the zoo animals weekly and help the zoo save hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual food costs, while continuing our goal of preventing tree-related power outages.

It's a win-win for everyone involved. 

Fresh tree trimmings, branches and twigs — also known as browse — are important to the animals’ diets, and beneficial for their enrichment. Whether it’s an okapi or giraffe munching on fresh leaves as part of their daily diet, or a bison chomping at a branch to help support its enrichment, the browse will benefit dozens of Potawatomi Zoo animals year-round.

“I&M’s Branch to Browse Program is unique and essential to the multiple animals that call the Potawatomi Zoo home,” said Josh Sisk, Potawatomi Zoo executive director. “Branches and tree trimmings from right here in our community will directly benefit the animals and we’re very appreciative of Indiana Michigan Power’s partnership to use its browse to feed the animals. The Branch to Browse Program is a perfect partnership to fill a need in our community at the Potawatomi Zoo.” 

The program will reduce the zoo’s annual food costs and by approximately $200,000. The Branch to Browse Program will serve as a major food source for at least 11 of the zoo’s largest animals and provide food, enrichment, and housing for dozens of other animals. Branch to Browse will also significantly offset the Zoo’s annual food costs, which is currently around $200,000 per year, and will be much higher with the addition of giraffes in the near future.

But how does this help Indiana Michigan Power?

I&M’s forestry crews are already inspecting and trimming trees and various brush near its power poles and lines to prevent outages. The forestry team is committed to balancing the importance of trees with keeping customers lights on, but we end up removing a lot of trees and brush because they are the leading cause of outages for I&M customers.

While the brush is normally mulched, the forestry crews have an approved list of tree species, including mulberry, hackberry, maple, and elm, which they will use to identify, bundle, and deliver by the truckload once trimmed.Deliveries aer sent once a week to the Potawatomi Zoo, where a horticulturist will inspect the trimmings and then deliver it to the animals.

“Indiana Michigan Power is excited and proud to donate fresh, local browse to the Potawatomi Zoo that we collect as part of our forestry program,” said Chad Tinkel, I&M region forestry supervisor. “It’s a win-win for I&M and the Potawatomi Zoo since we are already trimming trees and normally the branches and leaves would be turned into mulch. Now, we can donate it to the Potawatomi Zoo.”

I&M inspects and trims trees year-round and will visit neighborhoods and communities every four years to inspect and trim trees if needed to reduce power outages.  I&M’s forestry department works all year to mitigate outage concerns, while keeping in mind the health and beauty of the trees in our communities across Indiana and Michigan.

Through 2022, I&M plans to inspect and trim nearly 4,000 line miles in its service territory in Indiana and Michigan.