When storms hit and damage a community, it’s never easy—but in the City of Saline, the response to this challenge was met with a solution thanks to a grant from the DTE Energy Foundation given to ReLeaf Michigan.
Through this partnership, Saline was able to restore the city landscape and lost tree coverage due to severe storms.
“These programs align perfectly with our city’s mission to improve public health and offer a tremendous opportunity to beautify Saline, making it more sustainable for future generations,” said Mayor of Saline Brian Marl. “Recent strong storms have taken a toll on the community, and now is the time to take action and make a real difference.”
The DTE Foundation is deeply committed to supporting nonprofits and community organizations that share its vision for a more sustainable future through partnerships with organizations like ReLeaf Michigan.
This year, the DTE Foundation awarded ReLeaf Michigan funding to plant a minimum of twenty trees in 15 communities throughout the state, one of which was Saline.
“Planting these trees is a powerful step toward improving the quality of life in Saline by enhancing our green spaces, supporting environmental stewardship and fostering a sense of community pride,” Mayor Marl said. “Each tree planted will bring us closer to a cleaner, greener Michigan. Together, we will make a real impact in protecting our planet.”
This initiative highlights the DTE Foundation’s commitment to environmental sustainability by offering grants to support ReLeaf Michigan’s tree planting and protection efforts. Combined, the organizations focus on uplifting urban and suburban areas that are most in need of green infrastructure.
So far this year, over 250 trees have been planted throughout the state as part of the partnership between the DTE Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan.
“I truly thank the DTE Energy Foundation and ReLeaf Michigan for partnering with us,” said Mayor Marl. “Together, we’re taking important steps to ensure Saline remains a vibrant and thriving place to live. I am excited to see new trees lining our streets, adding to the city’s charm and beauty while offering vital shade cover for our residents, helping reduce the need for extra energy usage.”
To learn more about the ways we are helping grow greener communities through tree planting, explore the DTE Foundation’s website.