By: Dean Vaglia | C&G Newspapers | Published July 13, 2022
MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County’s environmental improvement initiative “Green Macomb” has received a $250,000 Consumers Energy 2022 Planet Awards grant.
Announced at a conference alongside the Clinton River in Mount Clemens on Tuesday, June 28, officials from Macomb County and the Jackson-based energy provider unveiled the award check and discussed how the funds would aid the Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership project.
“In applying for (the Planet Awards), we felt that we had a very innovative and very complete approach,” said Gerard Santoro, program director for the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) department’s Land and Water Resources Group. “When we received word that we were a finalist for this initiative, we were absolutely thrilled because it is a large amount of money. On behalf of Green Macomb, I just want to thank Consumers Energy Foundation for their support. We are so excited to be here today with them and we are ready to get to work advancing our mission and helping (Consumers Energy) achieve all of (its mission), too.”
Granted through Consumers Energy’s charitable arm, the Planet Awards grant $1.5 million in three $500,000 grant rounds. Each round sees a Michigan nonprofit receive up to $250,000 for projects that aim to improve the land, water or air quality in the state.
“We are committed to making Michigan’s environment better and improving the environment for generations to come,” said Christopher Fultz, Consumers Energy vice president of natural gas operations.
The Green Macomb program was developed in 2016 to address insufficient tree canopies in Macomb County communities based on USDA recommendations for tree canopy coverage in urban areas.
“What we are actually looking to do is to strengthen our local economy and vitality, we want to enhance our quality of life, as well as improve our environmental well-being,” Santoro said.
Santoro said planting trees provide several benefits beyond reducing air and water pollution in the area. Shade from trees can cut down on building energy expenses when planted strategically and can help increase property values. Santoro also mentioned trees help physical and mental health.
The Green Macomb project is carried out as partnerships between the county government, municipal governments, businesses and other organizations throughout the county. Local governments allow trees to be planted along their rights-of-way; businesses like Ray Wiegand’s Nursery in Macomb Township help provide trees and other resources for the project; and organizations like ReLeaf Michigan help plant the trees.
“It’s not just us,” Santoro said. “It’s a whole army of people looking to improve the quality of life here in Michigan and especially in Macomb County.”
The $250,000 is set to be used to plant 1,000 trees; 1,500 native shrubs; and 40 acres of pollinator habitat, which would help naturally treat an estimated 450,000 gallons of stormwater and capture over 3,000 tons of carbon every year. Santoro said the work to achieve the planting goal begins “immediately” and that actual planting of the trees will begin around the fall of 2022.
The Green Macomb initiative will not end with the last tree planted. Santoro said a program based around prairie revitalization — similar to the planting of native species along the Sterling Relief Drain, in Sterling Heights — will take place in the future, though the plans for the project have not been finalized. Currently, the county is waiting on spillway and greenway master plans to be completed. Officials are also taking a “wholesale” look at locations throughout Macomb County that could be revitalized.
“Local governments have the right to bring projects to us,” Santoro said. “They provide 50% of the match, so really this money is going to turn into about $500,000 worth of value to Macomb County.”
As of press time trees are expected to be planted in Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Mount Clemens. Other communities that will be offered trees are Shelby and Macomb Townships, Roseville, Eastpointe, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica and Center Line.