Recently, we revised our mission statement to give folks a better idea about all the cool projects we’re doing - working with neighborhood organizations to plan new restoration projects, planting trees and gardens, cleaning and securing vacant lots to prevent dumping, and providing guidance and resources that allow residents to beautify and revitalize their own property - all these things are a part of what we do today.
- Neighborhood Tree Plantings
- Neighborhood Environmental Revitalization Initiative
- Youth and Adult Education
- Advocacy Efforts
Neighborhood Tree Plantings
We’re still planting trees! Over the next five years, The Greening will embark on massive tree plantings to help reforest areas hardest hit by the Emerald Ash Borer, planting 45,000 trees on neighborhood streets and major thoroughfares.
Neighborhood Environmental Revitalization Initiative
We’re working with the City of Detroit through our Neighborhood Environmental Revitalization Initiative - helping to turn many of Detroit’s most blighted neighborhoods into clean and thriving green spaces.
In 2003 The Greening of Detroit became one of the founding partners in the Garden Resource Program Collaborative, a joint effort of The Greening, MSU Extension, Capuchin Soup Kitchen – EarthWorks Garden and the Detroit Agriculture Network which today is at the forefront of an emerging movement to transform the food system in Detroit by creating gardeners and gardens capable of growing the free food which is so urgently needed in our city.
Youth and Adult Education
Our youth and adult education programs are a key component of The Greening’s environmental work. Tree Keepers Kids and the Greening’s Science Academy help strengthen kids’ science skills and provide opportunities for kids to experience nature up close and personal, using the outdoors as their laboratory. Each summer, Camp Greening provides thousands of Detroit children new experiences exploring nature. For adults, we offer our family landscape program, garden resource program workshops, and our Get Out and Green program where we train adults to serve as community green leaders in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Advocacy Efforts
We’ve created a new advocacy agenda and hope to educate millions of people on a local, regional and national level about the important role green space plays in a healthy environment. We’re working to gain greater support for efforts that create and sustain Detroit’s urban ecosystem.
Want a first-hand look at the difference Detroiters are making to improve their environment citywide? Check out our other cool projects or contact us to learn more.