It's been quite the green spring for the passionate tree-planters at
The Greening of Detroit, which is seeking 300 volunteers for the season's final two plantings on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"It's especially great because June 11 is National Get Outdoors Day," says Greening's Monica Tabares. "So we're really hoping folks will want to get outdoors with us. It's a great way to start out a Saturday."
The Greening of Detroit, which plants trees every spring and fall, began March 26 with a sizable goal -- putting at least 4,000 new trees in the ground before summer began. The arbor assault helps combat poor air quality, storm water runoff, soil contamination and deforestation due to the Emerald Ash Bore. It's all been made possible due to the help of at least 1,200 volunteers this spring, resulting in Greening's largest planting season to date. They received funding for the 2011 season from DTE Energy Foundation, the Erb Family Foundation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service.
The last two plantings of the season, thanks to partnerships from SEMCOG and the City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department, will help root 500 new street trees in the neighborhoods of Rosedale Park and Cody/Rouge.
"We're looking for a number of folks to come out," says Greening of Detroit's Monica Tabares. "We've had tremendous support from individuals to come out and help us volunteer. When we started out, it was so cold -- it was snowing until April!"
What to bring? Energy and enthusiasm. Forestry staff will be on hand to give volunteers a full education on proper planting techniques, and the organization provides all the necessary tools. All ages are welcome.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. for both plantings. Volunteers for the Cody/Rouge neighborhood excursion will meet at St. Peter & Paul Church, which is located at 7685 Grandville. Volunteers in Rosedale Park will meet at 14593 Faust.
Sign up online at the Greening of Detroit's
website or call 313-237-TREE for more information.
Source: Monica Tabares, Marketing and Special Events Director, The Greening of Detroit
Writer: Ashley C. Woods
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.