Statewide, we are addressing our facilities’ carbon footprints in two ways. First, we are making strategic upgrades at facilities to reduce the amount of energy they consume. Second, we are sourcing more of the energy we still use from renewable sources.

You might notice new LED lighting at our facilities, solar panels on our buildings, or our parks staff utilizing electric vehicles and equipment. These projects are all part of our transition to more climate-friendly operations.

We are working hard to strategize future upgrades to lower both our utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

Michigan is the first state to pioneer selling carbon credits from our state forests and investing the revenue from those credits into more climate change initiatives in a positive feedback cycle.

Industries that produce carbon emissions may purchase carbon offset credits, investing in forests as carbon sinks, or storage areas. Carbon offset credit projects support natural climate solutions on working forest lands. Revenues will be invested into our sustainability, climate change adaptation or mitigation efforts.

Michigan’s trees, whether on a city block or in an old-growth forest, capture and store an incredible amount of carbon. Trees also provide wildlife habitat and create more resilient landscapes, all while cooling our cities, reducing stormwater runoff and erosion, and purifying our water. As part of the global Trillion Trees initiative, we have pledged to plant 50 million trees by 2030, with a potential carbon impact estimated at 13.4 million tons of CO₂.

Michigan’s pledge, known as MI Trees, aims to inspire people to plant trees. But it’s more than just a tree planting campaign – it’s a spark to raise awareness about the importance of trees, reflect on Michigan’s rich forest history and build capacity to grow forests and communities.