The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has granted $208,579 to the Genesee Conservation District (GCD) for the removal of more than 330 dead and dangerous trees throughout the city of Flint.
The targeted trees are referred to as street trees, which are city-owned trees located in traffic islands, medians and the right-of-way between the sidewalk and the curb. GCD will focus on trees that are dead or declining in health and pose a danger to nearby people or properties. Tree removal is expected to begin later this winter.
“Our forestry work is improving safety while restoring neighborhood vitality through green infrastructure,” said Angela Warren, administrator at the GCD. “The Genesee Conservation District will continue to encourage and activate conservation in the revitalization of our neighborhoods and community.
“Throughout many Mott Foundation community conversations and our Focus on Flint initiative, residents expressed their frustrations over dead and fallen trees throughout their neighborhoods,” said Jennifer Acree, program officer at the Mott Foundation. “We hope this grant can help alleviate some of the blight and damage caused by these trees throughout the city.”
Residents can contact the City of Flint Street Maintenance Department at 810-766-7343 to report trees suspected of being dead or dangerous or to request that a tree be inspected, pruned or have its canopy raised. A canopy raising is simply trimming branches that interfere with buildings, traffic or the health & stability of the tree.
