Tree planting grants announced:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials
today announced applications are available for DTE's tree planting grant
program.
DTE Energy annually provides $55,000 for tree planting grants
that are administered by the DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management
Division. The program is designed to increase the number of properly
planted trees in municipalities and maintain those trees in good health.
It is part of DTE Energy's voluntary participation in the US Department
of Energy's Global Climate Challenge program.
The US Forest Service has commended DTE Energy and the DNR for
the creative partnership and leadership of this tree planting program,
which earlier this year reached a milestone of 20 million trees planted
in Michigan.
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 into glucose and oxygen. The
grant program is part of DTE's effort to reduce carbon dioxide, a
greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
Grants up to $4,000 each are awarded on a competitive basis.
Eligible projects include parks, right-of-ways, cities, streets, nature
study areas, school and school grounds planting on public lands.
Applicants must be located within the service territory of either
Detroit Edison or MichCon, subsidiaries of DTE Energy. Applications are
rated based on the quality of the project.
Grant applications must be postmarked by November 30, 2002 in
order to be given funding consideration. Projects must be completed by
December 31, 2003.
All grants require matching funds of at least 50 percent. The
match may be made up of cash contributions or in-kind services, but may
not include federal or State of Michigan funds.
For more information, and a grant application, visit our web
site at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr or contact Kevin Sayers, MDNR
Forest, Mineral and Fire Management, Urban and Community Forestry
Program, P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, MI 48909-7952; 517-241-4632

Source: MDNR