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City of Grand Rapids seeking volunteers to plant trees

  

Coinciding with the first official day of spring, the city of Grand Rapids announced Monday they have opened up volunteer registration for the 2017 Mayor’s Greening Initiative tree planting.

“There are so many benefits to trees, environmental benefits, quality of life, we know that there is really good data about the impact of trees on storm water runoff and air quality,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Roslynn Bliss.

“But also when you are in a densely populated city, trees add so much, especially in a neighborhood like this, these trees add a buffer to the neighborhood and the children that live here,” she said.

Last October, volunteers helped the city plant nearly 500 new trees in neighborhoods along expressway ramps. The Mayor’s Greening Initiative began in 2011 with the City Commission adopting a “Green Grand Rapids” amendment to the City’s master plan.

City officials say the next round of tree planting will take place on April 28th. Community and corporate volunteers hope to plant another 500 trees in the neighborhood surrounding Martin Luther King Park on the city’s Southeast side.

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