Municipalities get Arbor Day grants from DNR

January 13, 2010 - Three lakes area communities are recipients of $200 grants through the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Arbor Day Mini Grants program.

In total, $10,000 in grant funding was awarded to 50 communities and organizations across the state. West Bloomfield Township, Waterford Township, and the village of Wolverine Lake are among the grant recipients.

The money will be used for Arbor Day activities, including projects to develop or enhance urban and community forestry resources in the state.

The grant program is administered by the DNR's urban forestry program with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, state and private forestry organizations.

"The purpose of the Arbor Day Mini Grant program is to highlight Arbor Day and the role that trees and forests play in our everyday lives," said Kevin Sayer, a member of the DNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division. "Grant recipients will receive up to $200 in matching grant funds for planting trees on public lands, hosting an Arbor Day celebration, or purchasing natural resource-related library materials. Grant projects must be completed by June 30, 2010."

According to the DNR, the nation's first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. It's founder, J. Sterling Morton, had a love for trees that he developed during his upbringing in Michigan. Missing the forests of Michigan, Morton championed a tree planing holiday in Nebraska.

Sayer said the first Michigan Arbor Day was celebrated in 1885 and has become a tradition — celebrated on the last Friday in April. This year Arbor Day will be held on April 30, 2010.

Communities interested in applying for grants must submit applications each fall to the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance. Fifty applications are randomly selected for grants from those deemed eligible after review.

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