Earth Day is today! This group has been researching the importance of sustainable growth in an urban community through trees, green spaces, and healthy living for more than 30 years.
Lionel Bradford and Monica Tabares, president and vice president of The Greening of Detroit, joined co-host Jason Carr on Live In The D to discuss the non-profit organization.
The Greening of Detroit, according to Lionel, has been serving the city of Detroit and its citizens for 32 years.
He says that they provide holistic green infrastructure and workforce programs that has both environmental and social and economic advantages.
Monica says that the group also has Green Corps, which is a youth employment, as well as Detroit Conservation Corps, which is adult training programs. It is a six-week training program that focuses on persons who face hurdles to work and assists them in establishing a career path in the green job market in Detroit.
According to Lionel, the community may become involved with this group by enrolling in one of their training programs or helping to plant trees. Since its start, they have planted around 133,000 trees.
“At our root, we are a tree-planting organization,” Lionel explained.
The group plants trees all throughout Detroit and ensures that the proper trees are planted in the right places. They collaborate with the city and other partners to identify locations that require more trees than others.
To commemorate Earth Day, they will distribute 100 trees to people of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their headquarters located at 13000 West McNichols Road, Detroit, Michigan.
Here are some pointers to keep in mind when planting trees:
- Size up your growing space: Think about the height and width of the tree. Shade trees typically grow larger than an ornamental tree.
- Pick your tree: What characteristics are you looking for? Here are some examples: You could get a large shade tree, a tree that flowers, or a tree that produces food for wildlife.
- Plant your tree: After determining where your tree is going and the tree species, you’re ready to plant! Dig a hole the same depth of the container and 2 to 3 times wider than the container. The hole should have sloping sides like a saucer to allow for proper root growth.
- Finish planting: Fill the dirt back in around the tree and firmly tap the soil down as you fill. After you finish planting, mulch the area around the tree and give it a good watering. During dry weather, generously water your tree every week to help it survive the harsh summer months.
Visit The Greening of Detroit’s website for additional information.
The full interview may be seen in the video above.