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ARBOR DAY GRANTS AWARDED TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS LANSING - Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials
today announced grants totaling $9,965 have been awarded to
50 Michigan communities and schools for Arbor Day activities
under the DNR's Urban and Community Forestry Program. In
Michigan, Arbor Day will be celebrated April 26.
"Arbor Day is a time to celebrate trees and their importance
in our lives," said DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management
Chief Mindy Koch. "These grants provide incentive and
support to local schools and communities as they recognize
the range of values trees give us."
Arbor Day was started in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, a
journalist living in the Nebraska Territory. Observed as an
official state holiday in Michigan since 1885, Governor
George Romney, in 1965, proclaimed the last week of April as
Arbor Week, and the Friday of that week as Arbor Day - a
tradition continued by every Michigan Governor and
Legislature since.
The grant program, with funds from the USDA Forest Service
State and Private Forestry Program, was created to assist
schools and communities with Arbor Day celebrations, such as
tree plantings or the purchase of forestry-related reference
material for libraries. Applicants may receive up to $200 in
matching funds for projects performed under the grant.
For information, contact the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance at
517-676-2290, or visit their Web site at
www.miarbordayalliance.org to learn about Arbor Day
celebrations in your community.
For a list of grant recipients please visit our Web site at
www.michigandnr.com.
Source: MDNR
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