GRAND RAPIDS NON-PROFIT RECEIVES $5 MILLION TO PLANT TREES

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks will plant 15,000 trees to make Grand Rapids a more livable City

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Outdoors non-profit organization, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks (FGRP) received a $5 million grant as part of the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service $1.5 billion competitive grant program to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature.

“These investments arrive as cities across the country experience record-breaking heat waves that have grave impacts on public health, energy consumption, and overall well-being,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

According to research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), tree canopy cover can reduce temperatures by 11-19 degrees Fahrenheit when compared to communities with no or limited tree cover. While many parts of Grand Rapids have enough tree canopy to create the feeling of a city in the woods, there are still many neighborhoods that fall well below the City’s 40% tree canopy goal. 

“This grant is a testament to the community of Grand Rapids and the volunteers, past and present,  who have been creating positive change in our parks and community forest since Friends was founded in 2008,” said Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “This is a significant step forward in our goal to achieve 40% tree canopy city-wide! I look forward to planting trees and working alongside all of Grand Rapids as we work together to create a greener, healthier community for everyone.” 

This grant, written in partnership with the Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) carries an expected 1:1 match from local funding sources that, in partnership with volunteers and residents, will complete the planting of 10,000 high-priority sites in the public right-of-way, along with 5,000 private tree plantings. Additionally, the funding will allow FGRP to complete a floral quality index, design and implement an invasive species control plan in the 600+ acres of forest spread out throughout the 72-plus park units in Grand Rapids! 

“This grant, a beacon of hope, will not only provide crucial funding but also serve as a catalyst for education, awareness, and transformative employment and entrepreneurial opportunities as we continue our journey toward a more inclusive, equitable, and environmentally just future.” Says Kareem Scales, Board Co-President of C4.

“We have an incredible opportunity with this grant, to correct a historic injustice in Grand Rapids by planting 15,000 trees and committing to habitat restoration in the more than 600 acres of forest that we have in this city for better control of invasive species,” said Executive Director, Stacy Bare. “It’s not just stormwater management, it’s not just air quality improvement, it adds up to real and documented physical and mental health benefits for the next 100 years in Grand Rapids. That is what we are doing when we plant trees.”

Everyone is invited to celebrate this incredible investment in community forestry by joining with FGRP and C4 to plant trees during the annual Neighborwoods Event on Friday, September 29th and 30th at Roberto Clemente Park. There will also be a free community lunch for 200 at the park starting at 12:00 p.m. until the food runs out.

Friends partners with the City of Grand Rapids, the City’s Forestry Division, and local neighborhood associations for the tree planting event that targets a new neighborhood each year with community volunteers. The tree planting and kick-off ceremony will take place at Roberto Clemente Park and is welcome to individuals of all ages, all abilities, and families all while providing a fun opportunity to serve the community. Additionally, the 150 trees being gifted are available for free to any resident living in Grand Rapids on Saturday to pick up, take home, and plant in order to reach the canopy goal. No experience is necessary, all tools are provided, and volunteers may bring their own. 

Trees being planted during Neighborwoods will begin to have an immediate impact on the air quality and health of the neighborhood which increases every year. As the trees mature they will also have a significant impact on lowering the heat of the streets where they’re planted. Each tree is maintained for at least two years after planting by the youth Green Team which is active in the summer and made up of students from the neighborhoods where trees are planted.

Volunteers can get involved for a free t-shirt and outdoor fun for a three-hour shift on Friday, September 29th, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM or Saturday, September 30th, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM for the following positions:

Tree Planting: Plant trees in Roberto Clemente Park or the surrounding neighborhood(s) (great way to keep families and group volunteers together!)

Clean-Up: Clear the registration area, put away tools/supplies, and assist FGRP staff.

Site Leader: Help lead a group of volunteers in planting trees during the MGI event. Training required.

Before the day’s events, trained arborists closely examine possible planting sites to ensure new trees won’t interfere with power lines, driveways, or walkways. After solidifying planting locations, the Friends team connects with residents to educate and answer questions about tree welfare. 

This year’s event is made possible through the support of community partners: Fifth Third Bank, Wege Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, UFPI Industries, Consumers Energy, ITC, Farmers Insurance, Verizon, PSG Grand Rapids, Reyes Coca-Cola, ASM, Friends continues to welcome additional sponsors for the event.

Volunteers may register online here. For more information contact Keely Moriarty at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks at keely@friendsofgrparks.org. Sponsors are still welcome!

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About Friends of Grand Rapids
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is an award-winning, citizen-led, nonprofit enterprise founded in 2008, working closely, with but separate from the City of Grand Rapids. Friends’ goal is to make Grand Rapids the healthiest, most shade and park-equitable city in America through leveraging city resources with community action! Friends is committed to engaging the Grand Rapids community through the city’s parks, trees, and green spaces by volunteering, park activation, philanthropy, and urban forestry. Friends can be found via Instagram, Facebook, or by visiting their website: https://friendsofgrparks.org/.