The Department of Natural Resources and DTE Energy Foundation today announced that 41 grants totaling $80,050 have been awarded to communities for local tree planting projects. Click here for the list of recipients.

Planting trees is part of DTE Energy's voluntary participation in the U.S. Department of Energy's Global Climate Challenge program. A key benefit trees provide is carbon sequestration. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar, oxygen and, eventually, wood.

Since 1995, DTE Energy, its foundation and the DNR have partnered to plant more than 20 million trees throughout Michigan. This program is designed to increase the number of properly planted and maintained trees in communities served by DTE Energy and its subsidiaries. The USDA Forest Service has commended the DTE Energy Foundation and the DNR for their creative partnership and leadership in tree planting programs.

For more information or a list of approved grants, contact Kevin Sayers, DNR Urban and Community forester, at (517) 241-4632, or visit the program Web site at www.mi.gov/dnrucf.

For further information about the DTE Energy Foundation or the company's participation in the Climate Challenge Program, please contact Eileen Dixon at (313) 235 9154.