The program recently planted its 100th tree in the state of Michigan
DTE Energy’s Natural Gas Balance program empowers customers to address the carbon emissions created from natural gas usage in their home. Participation funds the preservation of over 20,000 acres of forests in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as well as the development of renewable natural gas in our state.
Volunteers planting a tree at Millennium Park in Kent County
But this year, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Washtenaw, Kent and Muskegon counties all earned trees for their local parks by enrolling in the program.
“This year, we gave customers something extra for enrolling in the program,” said Megen Tenev, principal marketing strategist at DTE. “Not only are customers making a meaningful impact on Michigan’s environment with their enrollment, but they also got to make an additional, local impact on the community they live in.”
In April, DTE partnered with ReLeaf Michigan to plant 10 large landscaping trees at the Traverse City Civic Center. In September, DTE and ReLeaf planted at Northview Park in Saline.
“We are so appreciative of the generosity of DTE and ReLeaf Michigan,” said Brian Marl, mayor of Saline, Michigan. “Colony Park is much improved – it was great to add additional tree canopy to this important residential park. Hopefully, we can partner on similar initiatives in the future.”
Volunteers who helped plant trees at Northview Park in Saline
In October, the team (along with volunteers) planted trees in Cherry Bend Park in Elmwood, Pioneer Park in Muskegon County and Millennium Park in Kent County, which marked the 100th tree that the Natural Gas Balance program has planted in local communities.
“The planting in Pioneer Park in Muskegon County was especially meaningful, considering many trees in the park were destroyed in a bad storm a few years ago,” said Tenev. “We were able to help repopulate the park with new trees for campers and other visitors to enjoy year-round.
The tree plantings were a celebration of the community’s commitment to sustainability and a testament to how much our customers care about Michigan’s environment.
Since the program’s inception in 2021, Natural Gas Balance customers have addressed the equivalent of 65,628 metric tons of natural gas CO2-e*. Do you want to be part of the movement to preserve Michigan’s environment? Enroll in Natural Gas Balance on our website today.
*Calculated as of August 1, 2025.