Celebrate Arbor Day by participating in ninth annual tree-planting event in Kalkaska County April 28

Contact: Kelly Standerfer, 231-258-2711, ext. 6544 or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Agency: Natural Resources

April 18, 2013

Looking for a way to make an impact on Arbor Day, improving the environment on state forest land in Kalkaska County?

Individuals, families and service groups are being recruited to help commemorate this year's Arbor Day by helping to plant the first of what will be 5,000 trees on state forest land in Kalkaska County. The American Motorcycle Association District 14, Lansing Motorcycle Club, Cycle Conservation Club and Michigan Off-Road Events will team up with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and community volunteers on Sunday, April 28.

The number of volunteers that show up to help will impact the number of trees that can be planted. Normally 40-60 volunteers participate in the one-day event, with organizers hoping they can get more volunteers this year.

Over the past eight years, volunteers ranging in age from 1 to 80 have planted over 60,000 red pine, white pine, and spruce trees. Depending on the number of trees scheduled to be planted, and how many volunteers are available, the event could last between one and three hours. The trees/acorns that will be planted come from the DNR Wyman nursery, located in Manistique, Mich.

Volunteers are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at the Kalkaska Fairgrounds, located at the corner of M-72 and West Kalkaska Road. Volunteers should bring gloves and come ready to get dirty. Trees, bags, and some Dibble bars and shovels will be provided, but volunteers can bring their own planting equipment.

For more information, please contact Thomas Dunn at 517-896-9757 or tdunn976@yahoo.com or Kelly Standerfer at 231-258-2711 or standerferk@michigan.gov.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.