Partners from Huron Pines, Huron Pines AmeriCorps, Otsego Community Foundation, Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group, the City of Gaylord, ReLeaf Michigan and the DTE Foundation are working together to plant trees on private and public property in the ongoing recovery from the EF-3 tornado which struck Gaylord in May 2022.  

On Friday, May 19, Huron Pines AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps members from other programs in Northern Michigan, staff from partnering organizations and community volunteers will deploy around the city of Gaylord to plant trees and shrubs in an effort to increase climate resiliency, add beautification to the community and restore the tree canopy which was destroyed by the tornado. 

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Volunteer registration will close once we are at capacity.

This event will be an AmeriCorps Russ Mawby Signature Service Project, an annual event that tackles an assortment of community needs like park clean-ups, neighborhood beautification projects and trail maintenance. Each year the project and location are different and bring together a variety of partners and community members. This year, conservation nonprofit Huron Pines is leading the Gaylord Tornado Relief Tree Planting Russ Mawby Signature Service Project in Gaylord. 

In the fall of 2022, ReLeaf Michigan, a statewide volunteer non-profit tree planting and education organization, reached out to the City of Gaylord to schedule a planting to restore the tree canopy on public property after the tornado. DTE Energy Foundation works with ReLeaf Michigan to provide funding for 15 similar community planting projects each year. The project was delayed until the spring of 2023 and will be incorporated into the May 19 event. 

The tree-planting event will be part of a larger three-day tornado anniversary event led by the Gaylord Long-Term Recovery Group. To learn about the other events happening visit the Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group’s Facebook page.