April 27, 2016

Contact: Kevin Sayers, 517-284-5898 (DNR) or Randi Berris, 313-235-5555 (DTE Energy)

DTE Energy Foundation and DNR partner to offer annual community tree-planting grants

$75,000 available in matching grants up to $3,000 each

DTE Energy Foundation and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are partnering once again to fund tree-planting projects across Michigan. A total of $75,000 is available in matching grants of up to $3,000 each, to be awarded on a competitive basis. The 2016 DTE Tree Planting grant application period opened Monday, April 25, in honor of Arbor Day, which this year is observed Friday, April 29.

This marks the 19th year of the DTE Energy Foundation partnership with the DNR, which has resulted in nearly 40,000 trees and seedlings being planted in 490 Michigan communities. The program, paid for by the foundation, is administered by the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program.

“Launching DTE’s annual tree-planting initiative during Arbor Week provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about trees and the environment,” said Faye Nelson, vice president, public affairs, DTE Energy and president, DTE Energy Foundation. “DTE has a long history of environmental stewardship and helping to ensure that the communities we serve are healthy and vibrant.”

Eligible applicants include local units of government, nonprofit organizations, tribes and schools and must be located within the service territory of DTE Energy. Tree-planting projects must occur on public property such as parks, street rights-of-way and school grounds. All grants require a 1-to-1 match, which can be made up of cash contributions or in-kind services, but may not include federal funds.

Grant applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 10, 2016, at the address below. Award announcements are anticipated in August for projects that must be completed by May 31, 2017.

For more information, or to get a grant application, visit the DNR’s Urban Community Forestry website at www.michigan.gov/ucf, or contact Kevin Sayers at 517-284-5898, via email at sayersk@michigan.gov or by mail at P.O. Box 30452 Lansing, MI 48909.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.