Tree Management
October 27, 2008
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) officials recently announced the award of 50 grants totaling $214,665 for community forestry projects statewide. This is a competitive grant program that funds projects that help create and sustain local urban and community forestry programs. I am happy to report that the Novi was awarded a $20,000 grant to inventory park and major road trees.
On August 25, 2008 staff received City Council approval to prepare and submit an urban forest management grant application. The total project cost is approximately $40,000 ($20,000 MDNR grant/$20,000 city share cost). These funds will used to hire a firm to inventory an estimated 12,000 - 15,000 public trees along major city roads and in city parks by certified arborists using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
In 2006, Davey Resource Group (DRG) was hired to perform a street tree inventory for the City of Novi which was partially funded through a $20,000 grant from the MDNR. The purpose of the project was to develop a comprehensive urban forest management program which included a subdivision street tree inventory and management plan which outlined several recommendations. One of the recommendations made by DRG was to inventory parks and major roads.
Staff will prepare the bid specifications for the project this December and formally request proposals in January 2009. The project is anticipated to commence in April/May 2009 and be completed by July/August 2009.
Historical Information
Tree Management Project
Presentation - October 2005