Belle Isle and Detroit Receive Support for Tree Restoraion

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced a $300,000 U.S. Forest Service grant to support tree restoration on Belle Isle and across the City of Detroit. The funding will be used to remove dangerous trees along Detroit's city streets and on Belle Isle that were lost to infestations from insects like the emerald ash borer. The grant will also support a tree management, maintenance, and restoration plan, which will include replanting trees on Belle Isle and in neighborhoods throughout the city.

"This is welcome news for Detroit families and visitors to Belle Isle, one of our state's great treasures," said Sen. Stabenow. "This partnership with the Forest Service will remove hazardous trees along city streets to help keep residents safe and restore the natural beauty on Belle Isle for future generations to enjoy."

"Detroiters and visitors to Belle Isle are going to feel the difference this investment will make. Tree restoration provides multiple economic, environmental and social benefits to our community---from providing green jobs to protecting the air and soil. This initiative will help make neighborhoods safer and our parks more beautiful. I want to thank Senator Stabenow for being such a strong advocate for Detroit families," said Rebecca Salminen Witt, President of The Greening of Detroit.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will work with local contractors and community partners like the Greening of Detroit to coordinate, plan, and implement tree restoration efforts. The Greening of Detroit has planted nearly 82,000 trees since its inception in 1989, and is launching an advanced tree removal training program this spring through its Workforce Development Department.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Senator Stabenow has oversight of the U.S. Forest Service.