Nebraska City, Neb. (May 7, 2009) – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources planted 200,000 trees in the Michigan state forests with funds provided by the Arbor Day Foundation.
The 200,000 trees will help improve habitat for the federally endangered Kirtland's Warbler, a neotropical migrant songbird whose breeding habitat is almost exclusively confined to young, dense jack pine stands located in Michigan's lower peninsula. The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit tree-planting organization in the United States, with nearly one million members. The Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year.
"Thanks to the generosity of our members and great partners and friends, we are able to work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on this extensive tree-planting project in Michigan state forests," said Dan Lambe, vice president of programs for the Arbor Day Foundation. "These trees will provide vital habitat for wildlife, including the Kirtland's Warbler, and will also add many health-related benefits to the area."
Jack pine seedlings were planted on about 2,000 acres in need of reforestation. The seedlings were planted at a rate of 1,600 per acre to produce the thick cover that the warbler needs for critical nesting habitat. The seedlings were planted in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula.
"I am pleased that the Arbor Day Foundation is lending its support to the Kirtland's Warbler program," said Cara Boucher, Michigan's State Forester. "This project highlights the connections between sustainable forests and healthy wildlife populations."
This year, the Arbor Day Foundation is working with partners to plant trees in more than 10 states and territories in the United States.
Since 1989, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the U.S. Forest Service to plant trees in America's national forests. Since then, the Foundation has helped to plant more than 12 million trees in national forests that have been devastated by wildfire, insects and disease.
###
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.