What’s happening: The city of Gladstone and Forsyth Township are celebrating the recent news that they’ll be receiving $2,500 and $4,000 grants, respectively, for tree-planting projects in their communities. The grants result from a program sponsored by the DTE Foundation and administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the nonprofit tree organization ReLeaf Michigan.
Big picture: The two Upper Peninsula communities — Gladstone in Delta County and Forsyth Township in Marquette County — join 29 other Lower Peninsula communities as the tree-planting grants recipients. This year’s tree-planting program from the DTE Foundation, Michigan DNR, and ReLeaf Michigan awarded $105,000 in grants to 33 projects in 31 Michigan communities. The trees will end up in community parks, right-of-ways, school grounds, and other public areas.
How to apply: Local units of government, schools, and nonprofit organizations within the DTE Energy service map are eligible to apply for tree-planting grants each year. The application window for 2023 is expected to open in April and close that June. Up-to-date information is available on the Michigan DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Program website.
What they’re saying: “The DTE Foundation looks forward to seeing how our grants and support come to fruition in our communities through these newly planted trees,” says Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. “We’re dedicated to protecting, preserving and expanding our state’s natural resources, and our partners like the DNR and ReLeaf Michigan are integral in this mission.”
