The Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership is the first project of the Green Macomb initiative. This program is building local capacity to manage and grow healthy urban forests in the most urbanized areas of the county.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) has identified Macomb County, particularly along and below the Clinton River, as a major target for urban tree canopy increases. This area is one of the most lacking in tree canopy in Southeast Michigan with tree loss intensified by decades of Dutch elm disease, the devastation created by the emerald ash borer, as well as from efforts to improve in-ground infrastructure and roadways.
This area is in particular need of the benefits an extensive and well-managed urban forest provides, including cleaner air and water, flood control, reduction in energy usage, improvements to public health, aesthetics, increased property values and a better quality of life.
The Urban Forest Partnership is working to expand public awareness of the benefits of urban forests, develop technical tools and resources for sustainable local forestry programs, and advance creative partnerships to increase tree canopy in Macomb County through planting the Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Purpose.
Urban Forest Partnership goals:
- Equip community managers with the tools and resources to make informed decisions that will effectively increase urban forestry composition and tree benefits.
- Encourage tree planting that maintains and grows regional tree canopy while also improving species diversity and urban forest resilience.
- Promote sustainable urban forestry programs.
- Connect partners to diverse funding sources and create low-cost options for urban forestry initiatives.
- Provide regional tree planting and management solutions as well as community program support.
- Engage citizens in urban forestry efforts; establish ways for people to contribute time, resources, money, and private tree planting.