The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) and the DTE Energy Foundation today announced that applications are available for next year’s tree-planting grant program. This grant program is funded by the DTE Energy Foundation, and administered by the DNRE Urban and Community Forestry Program.
The purpose of this program is to increase the number and variety of properly planted and maintained trees in our communities, which improves both the environment and quality of life. A key benefit of planting trees is that it helps reduce carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change – as trees convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis.
The DTE Energy Foundation’s continued financial support for this program, along with DTE Energy’s voluntary participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Global Climate Challenge Program, reflects an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community assistance. The USDA Forest Service has commended the DTE Energy Foundation and the DNRE for continuing this unique partnership, and demonstrating leadership for tree planting efforts in Michigan.
Eligible applicants include local units of government, nonprofit organizations, tribes and schools who: 1) are located within the service territory of DTE Energy’s utility subsidiaries Detroit Edison and MichCon, and 2) have not received a grant during the previous year DTE Energy Foundation grant cycle. Eligible projects include tree-planting activities on public lands such as parks, right-of-ways, nature study areas and school grounds.
Matching grants of up to $3,000 each are awarded on a competitive basis. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar match, which can be made up of cash contributions or in-kind services, but may not include federal or state funds.
Grant applications must be received by Dec. 31, 2010. Awards announcements are anticipated during February for projects that must be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.
For more information and a grant application, visit the DNRE Urban and Community Forestry website at www.michigan.gov/ucf or contact Kevin Sayers, urban forestry coordinator, at 517-241-4632 or sayersk@michigan.gov.
