Just in time for Arbor Day this Friday, the DTE Energy Foundation along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and ReLeaf Michigan announce the availability of the annual community tree-planting grant program.
A total of $70,000 is available again this year in matching grants of up to $3,000 each to support tree planting on public property.
This marks the 22nd year of the DTE Energy Foundation partnership with the DNR, and the second year of joining with the nonprofit ReLeaf Michigan to engage communities statewide. The program, paid for by the DTE Energy Foundation, is administered jointly by ReLeaf Michigan and the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program.
“Since our partnership began 22 years ago, more than 46,000 trees and seedlings have been planted in Michigan communities,” said Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. “This work helps our environment, beautifies local communities and supports the Foundation’s mission to make Michigan an even better place to live, work and play.”
Eligible applicants include local units of government, nonprofit organizations, tribes and schools, and must be located within the service territory of DTE Energy. Tree-planting projects must occur on public property such as parks, road rights-of-way and school grounds. All grants require a 1-to-1 match, which can be made up of cash contributions or in-kind services, including volunteer labor.
Grant applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 8, 2018, and mailed to the address below. Award announcements are anticipated in August for projects that must be completed by May 31, 2019.
For more information, or to download a grant application, visit the DNR’s Urban Community Forestry webpage at www.michigan.gov/ucf, or contact Kevin Sayers at 517-284-5898, via email at sayersk@michigan.gov or by mail at P.O. Box 30452 Lansing, MI 48909.
