Congratulations to the Winners of the Go Green Youth Challenge!

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is proud to announce the winners of this year’s Go Green Youth Challenge!  This year’s program featured two very different components, but had one unified message – celebrating the benefits of trees.

The original Go Green Youth Challenge was a fundraising contest.  Teams collected money in any way they could think of in order to raise funds to plant trees in Michigan.  This year, through school participation and sponsorships, this program raised over $16,824 to fund tree plantings.

Congratulations to the Grand Prize winner of the Go Green Youth Challenge fundraiser – the Smith Middle School Ecology Club from Troy.  Together they raised $250!

The 2013 Challenge was different because the program also included a Creative Writing Contest.  Students K-12 were invited to submit a short piece of writing expressing what trees meant to them.  We had a total of 479 contest entries from across the state!  Congratulations to the top entries and Thank You to everyone who participated.

Grand Prize Winner – Nathaniel C. from Bloomfield Twp.

K-4th

First – Mattye T. from Beverly Hills

Second – Anna R. from Northville

Third – Sophia W. from Beverly Hills

5th-8th

First – Julianna K. from Oakland

Second – Jessica R. from Perry

Third – Kayla D. from St. Johns

9th-12th

First – Jordon M. from Brooklyn

Second – Ellen Z. from Troy

Third – Zach C. from Northville

We hope you enjoyed this year’s contest.  Be on the lookout next spring for another chance to participate!

Thank You for making Michigan greener

New Grand Prize for Creative Writing Contest!

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

 

Contact Information:                                                                                              

Jennifer Hunnell

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance

551 Courthouse Dr., Ste. 3 Charlotte, MI 48813

Phone:  (517) 543-5848 x 5

Email:  miarborday@gmail.com

Website:   http://www.miarbordayalliance.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after 2-19-13

 

New Grand Prize for Creative Writing Contest

 

CHARLOTTE, MI – The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA) has announced today that they will be adding a new prize to their Go Green Youth Challenge Creative Writing Contest.  In addition to the first, second and third prizes for each age category, there will also be one overall Grand Prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

The Creative Writing Contest is open to all Michigan K-12^th grade students.  Public, private, charter and homeschooled students are all eligible to participate.  The writing contest will have an environmental theme each year, this year’s theme being “What Do Trees Mean to You?”  Students can submit any type of creative writing (i.e. essay, short story, poem, etc.) fewer than 300 words, and remember originality and imagination count!

This contest runs alongside the Go Green Youth Challenge fundraising program, where students raise money to plant trees across Michigan.  Both contests have a deadline of April 1, 2013.  For full program rules and details, please visit www.miarbordayalliance.com and look under the Go Green Youth Challenge and Creative Writing Contest tabs.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance’s Go Green Youth Challenge engages Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan.

MADA is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

This is the 20^th Anniversary of the MADA program.  We encourage you to celebrate with us and Go Green in 2013!

 

MADA is a program of the Eaton Conservation District

Lansing Board of Water and Light Supports 2013 Go Green Youth Challenge

Lansing Board of Water and Light Supports

Go Green Youth Challenge

 Michigan Arbor Day Alliance initiative raises awareness for the trees

 

 LANSING, Mich., February 7, 2013 – Michigan Arbor Day Alliance announced today that the Lansing Board of Water and Light (BWL) is stepping up to contribute $5,000 to support its Go Green Youth Challenge program.

 The Go Green Youth Challenge will engage Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan. Children, pre-K through 12^th grade, are challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club, from Jan. 14 – April 1, 2013.  The coins collected will directly fund community tree plantings.

“We are pleased to support an initiative that emphasizes community outreach and youth participation, especially one with such a long-term impact.  Trees are an investment in our future,” said Alan Carroll, Principal Engineer for the BWL.

“This is a great boost to the Go Green Youth Challenge.  We are excited to partner again with the Board of Water and Light to raise awareness about the importance of trees and involving youth in that conversation,” said Jennifer Hunnell, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Program Coordinator.

The team that raises the most for the Go Green Youth Challenge will be awarded a tree planting in their community and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Celebration on April 26 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.

In addition to the coin collection program, there will also be a Creative Writing Contest in the 2013 initiative.  K-12 students are urged to utilize their imagination and tell us “What Do Trees Mean To You?”  The contest will run alongside the coin collection.  Details and rules can be found at www.miarbordayalliance.com/creative-writing-contest.

For more information or to sign up for the Go Green Youth Challenge, contact Michigan Arbor Day Alliance at gogreenyouthchallenge@gmail.com or visit www.miarbordayalliance.com.

 

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a program of the Eaton Conservation District.

Make Your Go Green Youth Challenge Collection a Success!

We want your Go Green Youth Challenge to be a success.  The greatest tip we can offer is don’t be afraid to customize your fundraising campaign.  Think of ways your community likes to get involved in projects and incorporate that into your efforts.  We have come up with tips we think will help you run a successful campaign.

• Talk about why trees are important.  Ask yourself, friends, parents, teachers and anyone else you can think of the following questions: Why do we need trees?  What do trees provide for humans? Do trees provide different services for wildlife, insects, birds, etc?  Explore the world-wide web for information about trees. Or click here for information about trees.
• Challenge yourself to set a goal.  You will have more success if your goal is realistic and achievable.
• Brainstorm who you can team up with.  Perhaps your classroom, school, youth group, business, friends and family, etc.
• Spread the word.  Let people know about your efforts to raise money for trees. You can send letters, put up flyers, call people, email, whatever it takes to get the word out.
• Think about how you can raise money – get Creative!  Ask friends and family for donations. Hold a garage or bake sale.  Collect pop cans from neighbors.  Power off electronics at home and donate the money saved.
• Talk about where in your community trees are needed…….schools, neighborhoods, parks, etc.
• Contact a local professional to learn about trees in your area.  Your local city or town might even have an urban forester on staff.
• Get excited and motivated!  Decorate a collection jar, make a banner or anything else you can think of to kick off your campaign.

Hopefully, these tips will get you started and thinking of ways to run a successful Go Green Youth Challenge.  The sky is the limit.  All it takes is a little creativity and you will be on your way.  Don’t forget we want to hear how you did.  Send your photos, drawings, or letters to gogreenyouthchallenge@gmail.com.

** Modified and Re-posted from January 11, 2011 **

ITC Michigan Supports Go Green Youth Challenge

ITC Supports Go Green Youth Challenge

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance initiative raises awareness for the trees

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 14, 2013 – Michigan Arbor Day Alliance announced today that ITC  is contributing $10,000 to support its Go Green Youth Challenge initiative.

The Go Green Youth Challenge will engage Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan. Children, pre-K through 12^th grade, are challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club, from Jan. 14 – April 1, 2013.  The coins collected will directly fund community tree plantings.

“ITC is pleased to lend our support to worthwhile causes, including this one to support Michigan Arbor Day Alliance,” said Gregory Ioanidis, president of ITC Michigan. “We are proud to contribute to positive change throughout the region through public and private partnerships, especially those that engage youth and support environmental stewardship.”

“This is a great boost to the Go Green Youth Challenge.  We are excited to partner again with ITC to raise awareness about the importance of trees and involving youth in that conversation,” said Jennifer Hunnell, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Program Coordinator.

The team that raises the most for the Go Green Youth Challenge will be awarded a tree planting in their community and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Celebration on April 26 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.

In addition to the coin collection program, there will also be a Creative Writing Contest included in the 2013 initiative.  K-12 students are urged to utilize their imagination and tell us “What Do Trees Mean To You?”  The contest will run alongside the coin collection.  Details and rules can be found at www.miarbordayalliance.com/creative-writing-contest.

For more information or to sign up for the “Go Green Youth Challenge,” contact Michigan Arbor Day Alliance at gogreenyouthchallenge@gmail.com or visit www.miarbordayalliance.com.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a program of the Eaton Conservation District.

 

ABOUT ITC MICHIGAN

In Michigan, operating entities ITCTransmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) serve most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

ABOUT ITCTRANSMISSION:

International Transmission Company (d/b/a ITCTransmission) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITCTransmission owns, operates and maintains approximately 2,800 circuit miles of transmission lines in southeast Michigan, serving a population of 5.1 million.

ABOUT METC:

Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC (METC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. Based in Novi, Michigan, METC owns, operates and maintains approximately 5,500 circuit miles of transmission lines in the western and northern portions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, serving 4.9 million people.

The Go Green Youth Challenge Begins Again!

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information:

Jennifer Hunnell
Michigan Arbor Day Alliance
551 Courthouse Dr., Ste. 3 Charlotte, MI 48813

 

 Phone:  (517) 543-5848 ext.5

Website: www.miarbordayalliance.com

Email: miarborday@gmail.com

 

Sent: 12-17-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after 12-17-12

Writing Contest Added to Go Green Youth Challenge

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance’s Go Green Youth Challenge engages Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan. Children, pre-K through 12th grade, are challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club. All money collected directly funds community tree plantings across Michigan. Next year, the Go Green Youth Challenge runs from January 14 until April 1, 2013.

New to the program is our Creative Writing Contest. This contest runs alongside the youth coin collection. All K-12 students are eligible to submit a creative writing piece of any type and tell us “What Do Trees Mean To You?” Prizes are available to students for both the fundraiser and the writing contest. You can even win trees for your community or school. Program details and rules can be found on our website at www.miarbordayalliance.com/creative-writing-contest.

Since the beginning of the program, Michigan’s youth have helped plant over 600 trees in 12 different communities across our beautiful state! We invite you to join the cause and Go Green in 2013!

The 2012 Go Green Youth Challenge raised a total of $15,470 for tree planting in Michigan. We would like to thank everyone who participated including our sponsors:  ITC, Lansing Board of Water and Light, Glenn Buege Chevrolet of Eaton Rapids, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eaton Conservation District and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA) is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan. Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being. Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

 

MADA is a program of the Eaton Conservation District.

– END –

Trees For Michigan!

It has been a successful second year for the Go Green Youth Challenge!  The fundraising program in the spring raised more than $15,000 this year!  This money was then put toward funding community tree plantings around the state through our fall Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting Grants.  Thanks to the money raised by our participating schools and by our generous sponsors, we were able to fund eight tree plantings in 2012.  Six of these projects will take place this fall (between October and November) and two additional plantings will be completed during the spring of 2013.

So what exactly are these projects and who is participating?  Here’s a nice little summary of what’s going on around Michigan so far.  A big Congratulations to these participants for completing their plantings early!

 

Montcalm 4-H Fair Association - planting completed October 7, 2012

The Montcalm 4-H Fair Association is a second year recipient of a Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting Grant.  Their planting was a part of a much larger vision for their fair grounds in Greenville, MI.  The area was originally soy/corn field and seriously lacking in shade or any kind of groundcover/landscaping.  In order to remedy this, several trees and shrubs were planted in 2011 to shade barns and provide visual and sound screens.  This year the project was expanded to 124 trees and shrubs.  The plants were used as living markers to define the parking area, buffer fencing at the arenas,  and as shade for the barns and Expo building.  The North Central and Country Kids 4-H Clubs were the lead, but there were also several volunteers from other 4-H Clubs as well as from the Master Gardeners program.  This group’s vision also includes native plantings to utilize for youth education.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delhi Charter Township - planting completed October 12, 2012

When you hear the words Dutch Elm Disease, many of you may recall the devastation which occurred when this fungus was identified in the United States in 1928.  What does this have to do with the tree planting completed by Delhi Charter Township in Ingham County?  The trees they chose to plant as part of this program were a continuation of a stand of Princeton Elm trees which was started in 2006.  The Princeton Elm is a horticultural cultivar of the native American Elm and was found to be resistant to the American strain of Dutch Elm Disease.  With the addition of eight trees this October, the stand now consists of 31 trees along McCue Rd near the Delhi Township Public Services and Recycling Center.

Pictures coming soon

 

Village of Dimondale - planting completed October 16, 2012

The Village of Dimondale supports the enhancement of their municipal streetscapes through annual investments in a Village tree program which includes both preventative maintenance and replanting efforts.  The funding from the Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting Grant made it possible to replace trees in a Village right-of-way that may have not been able to otherwise.  In 2011, Village workers were forced to remove the trees along East Jefferson Rd. due to a road reconstruction project.  As part of this year’s planting, Village officials included area residents by notifying homeowners about the upcoming project and the types of trees proposed for in front of their properties.  By including community involvement during the planning process they were able to best meet the needs of area residents.

Lewiston Downtown Development Authority - planting completed week of October 22, 2012

Like the Montcalm 4-H Fair Association project, the Lewiston Downtown Development Authority has a larger vision.  Currently, there are very few trees along the main street through the downtown area.  A large scale beautification project was the solution they found.  In addition to improving the appearance of downtown Lewiston, the trees planted would narrow the visual landscape as people entered town and naturally slow traffic flow.  The first phase of this project consisted of the planting of 110 trees of 8 different species in a 5 block area along CR 612.  The ultimate goal of this project is to plant along the entire one-mile stretch of this downtown road.

Pictures coming soon

Congratulations to these 2012 Go Green Youth Challenge Grant participants.  Updates on other Go Green Youth Challenge tree planting projects will be posted as they are completed.  And be sure to visit our website for more details and pictures!

More Trees for East Lansing!

PRESS RELEASE  

 

Contact Information:                                                                                               

Jennifer Hunnell                                                        Phone:  (517) 543-5848 x 5

Michigan Arbor Day Alliance                               Email:  miarborday@gmail.com

Eaton Conservation District                                  Website:   http://www.miarbordayalliance.com

551 Courthouse Dr., Ste. 3 Charlotte, MI 48813                           Sent:   10-19-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after 10-19-12

 

East Lansing Goes Green…Again

EAST LANSING – In some ways the second 2012 tree planting sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) was vastly different from the first, but the message remained the same – MSUFCU supports green initiatives in Mid-Michigan.  A cold and rainy day greeted the volunteers who came out to Harrison Meadows Park in East Lansing.  Volunteers from the City of East Lansing and MSU’s chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha had come out to help plant 200 conifer seedlings.  The trees planted this day were significantly smaller than the hardwood trees which were planted earlier this year in May, only 12-14” tall.  The three species of evergreens (White Spruce, Norway Spruce, and White Pine) were planted in the hopes of re-establishing a tree line in the park that was lost due to underground pipeline construction.  Volunteers worked incredibly hard, the packed clay in some areas making the planting difficult.  In a few years, hopefully their efforts pay off in the form of a majestic stand of conifers adding to the beauty of this green space.

This planting was made possible by the generous contributions from MSUFCU.  $2,000 was donated this spring from MSUFCU’s Go Green Challenge program to plant trees in East Lansing.  After the spring planting had been completed, it was decided that a second fall planting would take place in order to best utilize their donation.  This is the second year of the partnership between MSUFCU and the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance.  The trees added on October 7^th bring the number of trees we have planted in East Lansing up to 480!  We once again thank MSUFCU and the City of East Lansing for supporting the continuation of tree plantings in Mid-Michigan.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA) is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

MADA is a program of the Eaton Conservation District and is made possible through support from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Volunteers from MSU’s chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha

Wendy Wilmers-Longpre (City of East Lansing) with her children while retired forester Mike Vasievich teaches the kids about the trees they were planting

Tree Planting Grants Available!

 

 

 

 

 

2012 marked the second year of the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance’s Go Green Youth Challenge. The Go Green Youth Challenge engages Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan. Children, pre-K through 12th grade, are challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club, from January - April.  The coins collected directly fund community tree plantings.  The team that raises the most for the Go Green Youth Challenge is awarded a tree planting in their community and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Celebration in April at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.

In the spirit of the Go Green Youth Challenge, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is offering local units of government, public educational institutions, public libraries, non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, churches and tribal governments the opportunity to apply for a Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting Grant!  Six tree planting projects were able to be funded in 2011, for a total of 195 trees planted!

 Grant applications are available online. Please visit, www.miarbordayalliance.com, to download an application. Applications are due no later than August 17^th, 2012 with tree planting projects taking place this fall.  Tree planting projects must be completed no later than November 30^th, 2012.

The 2012 Go Green Youth Challenge raised a total of $15,470 for tree planting in Michigan.  Michigan Arbor Day Alliance would like to thank everyone who participated including the sponsors, ITC, Lansing Board of Water and Light, Glenn Buege Chevorlet of Eaton Rapids, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eaton Conservation District and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan.  Our dedication comes from our belief in the importance of trees and their role in community health and well-being.  Since 1993, MADA has provided educational programs and services to Michigan communities.

2012 Grand Prize Tree Planting in Oxford

Go Green Youth Challenge Tree Planting

OXFORD –Michigan Arbor Day Alliance along with ITC and Oxford Parks and Recreation celebrated with Daniel Axford and Oxford Elementary-Extended Day Program, the grand prize winner of the Go Green Youth Challenge (GGYC) on May 14th. The GGYC engages Michigan youth in environmental stewardship, community development and service-learning through a statewide effort to plant trees in Michigan. Children, pre-K through 12^th grade, were challenged to collect coins, as an individual, classroom or club, from Jan. 16 – April 9, 2012.  The coins collected directly fund community tree plantings. As the team that raised the most for the GGYC, Daniel Axford and Oxford Elementary-Extended Day Program were awarded 15 trees to plant in their community! A representative from the school was also recognized at the State Arbor Day Celebration on April 27 at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.

Tree planting at Daniel Axford Elementary

“It was a great day to plant trees. The students were very excited to know they helped raise money to plant trees in Michigan and their own community. This was the second year of the program, and the second year Daniel Axford has won! The fact the students could see proof of their hard work, saw how much the trees planted last year had grown, was inspiring. This is what our program is all about, educating youth about the importance of trees so they can pass the message on to their peers and family,” said Jennifer Hunnell, Michigan Arbor Day Alliance Program Coordinator.

Nine trees were planted with the help of volunteers from the GGYC Grand Prize Team, Oxford Parks and Recreation, ITC, and Michigan Arbor Day Alliance. The trees went to five different elementary schools.  Classes at several of the schools were able to come out and participate.  The remaining trees will be planted at a local park later this year.  Photos of the event and planting can be view at, www.miarbordayalliance.com/photoalbum.

The Go Green Youth Challenge raised a total of $15,470 for tree planting in Michigan.  Michigan Arbor Day Alliance would like to thank everyone who participated including the sponsors, ITC Holdings, Lansing Board of Water and Light, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Eaton Conservation District, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and Glenn Buege Chevorlet of Eaton Rapids.