Tree planting grants available to Michigan communities

LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is currently offering local units of government, public educational institutions, public libraries, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, churches and tribal governments the opportunity to apply for a Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting Grant.

The Go Green Youth Challenge (GGYC) seeks to teach Michigan youth to be good caretakers of our natural resources by engaging them in their communities.  Children, pre-K through 12th grade, are challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club each spring.  The coins collected fund community tree plantings and program outreach efforts.  The team that raises the most for the Go Green Youth Challenge is awarded a tree planting in their community and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Celebration in April at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.

Student participation as well as program sponsorships make this grant possible.  Grant applicants may request up to $2,000 to fund tree planting projects in their community.  Grant funds may only be used to purchase trees.  Applicants must show evidence of a 1:1 match for anticipated money.  This is a statewide grant opportunity, however only Michigan projects are eligible.

Grant applications are available on the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance’s website.  Please visit www.miarbordayalliance.org to download an application.  Applications are due by mail no later than April 25, 2016.  The 2016 deadline has been moved in order to be able to provide funding for late spring plantings.  Funded projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2016.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance would like to thank everyone who participated, including the sponsors:  ITC, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eaton Conservation District, and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a program of the Eaton Conservation District in Charlotte, MI and is made possible through support from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.