Consumers Energy Helps Grand Rapids Reach 40% Tree Canopy Goal
Did you know one tree can produce enough oxygen for up to four people? According to the Arbor Day Foundation, planting trees has many benefits including improving air quality, protecting wildlife and enabling energy savings.
In 2009, the City of Grand Rapids introduced a goal to achieve a 40 percent tree canopy citywide. A “tree canopy” is defined as the proportion of land covered by trees as seen from an aerial view. To achieve this environmental goal, the West Michigan community would need to plant an additional 1,640 acres of tree canopy on approximately 7,000 acres of land.
In 2018, Consumers Energy announced a five-year goal to enhance, restore or protect 5,000 acres of Michigan land. We’re pleased to support Grand Rapids’ 40 percent tree canopy goal by:
- Presenting a $50,000 Consumers Energy Foundation grant to Friends of Grand Rapids Parks last February to support their Urban Forest Project. The funds will allow more than 500 trees to be planted locally while providing education and outreach to communities to encourage tree planting.
- Mobilizing Consumers Energy volunteers to participate in a Grand Rapids Tree Planting and Community Celebration on April 27 to plant 300 trees in southwest Grand Rapids. Since 2013, Consumers Energy employees earned an additional $1,250 in Consumers Energy Foundation grants for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks for their Arbor Day volunteering efforts.
- Collaborating with the city and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks on tree trimming, removals and plantings while also educating citizens on proper forestry techniques.
See how we’re protecting the planet for generations to come: ConsumersEnergy.com/sustainability. Learn more about the City of Grand Rapids’ tree canopy goal: http://bit.ly/2E0sUdf.
