In an effort to encourage the planting of new trees throughout the City, the Sterling Heights Department of Public Works is coordinating the raffle giveaway of 50 free trees to residents who commit to a spring 2018 planting.
DPW Director Mike Moore said the tree raffle is a part of a grant awarded from the Great Lakes Reforestation Initiative (GLRI) through the US Forest Service.
“We’re working hard on a plan to increase Sterling Heights’ tree canopy, and residents can greatly help by adding more healthy trees to their property,” Moore said. “Greening Sterling Heights continues to be a top priority.”
During May, trees are available for purchase at a discounted $250, down $50 in price from the normal $300 price tag. Trees purchased this spring will be planted in May or June 2018.
In order to be part of the drawing, new tree orders must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 4. Orders can be placed by calling DPW at (586) 446-2440 or stopping by the DPW building at 7200 Eighteen Mile Road to fill out a form.
Residents who have already committed and paid for a tree since January 2018 will automatically be entered in the drawing. On May 7, DPW will coordinate a random drawing of the winners and provide a 100 percent reimbursement for those names drawn. The City will contact the winners and also post their names on social media.
Media with questions about the event can contact Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski at (586) 446-2471 or email bkoz@sterling-heights.net.