May 2022: Plant Michigan Green Month

WHEREAS, Michigan is home to over 5,000 nursery, retail garden center, lawn care management and landscape contracting firms and the fourth largest nursery industry in the nation; and,

WHEREAS, the nursery and landscape industry has a significant impact on the state's economy, accruing about $5.715 billion each year; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan's green industry produces the top specialty crops in Michigan through perennial plant production, Christmas trees, sod production, landscaping services and lawn care services distributed to 35 states, Mexico and Canada; and,

WHEREAS, the green industry employs over 36,000 Michigan residents that make up the fourth largest agricultural commodity group in the state; and,

WHEREAS, green areas, or landscaped spaces, provide countless benefits to the environment including soil erosion control, dust prevention, rainwater entrapment and groundwater recharge, solar heat dissipation, glare reduction, organic chemical/pollutant entrapment and degradation, and noise reduction; and,

WHEREAS, trees are natural air filters and just one tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year; additionally, proper selection and placement of trees, shrubs, and perennials can lower heating and cooling costs by 20 percent and reduce noise pollution by 50 percent; and,

WHEREAS, during this month, we raise awareness of the positive economic and environmental impacts that the nursery and landscape industry has had, and continues to have, in the Great Lakes State; we encourage residents to Plant Michigan Green by visiting a local retail garden center, planting a tree, having a landscape or garden installed, or simply taking time to enjoy the beauty of Michigan’s greenery;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as Plant Michigan Green Month in Michigan.