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DTE ENERGY TREE PLANTING GRANTS AWARDED LANSING - DTE Energy, in cooperation with the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources, has awarded $43,720 to 15
communities for tree planting projects. Due to the recent
merger between Detroit Edison and MichCon, the program is
expanded to include communities in both companies' service
areas.
The program is designed to increase the number of properly
planted trees in municipalities and maintain those trees in
good condition and health. It is part of DTE Energy's
voluntary participation in the US Department of Energy's
Global Climate Challenge program. The USDA Forest Service
has commended DTE Energy and the DNR for the creative
partnership and leadership of this tree planting program,
which has reached a milestone of nearly 20 million trees
planted.
Trees improve environmental quality and quality of life in
the urban, suburban, and rural communities where people
live. A key benefit that trees provide is carbon
sequestration. Through photosynthesis, trees convert carbon
dioxide and water (using sunlight), into glucose (sugar) and
oxygen. DTE Energy is funding the grant program as part of
its effort to reduce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that
contributes to global warming.
For a copy of the 2002 DTE Energy Tree Planting Grants
chart, contact the MDNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire
Management Division, Urban and Community Forestry Program,
P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, MI 48909-7952; 517-373-1275.
Source: MDNR
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