OKEMOS, MI - Meridian Township and the Okemos Climate Change Club has partnered with ReLeaf Michigan, a non-profit tree organization to plant trees at Central Park South, located at 1990 Central Park Drive in Okemos on Friday June 18th at 11:45 am.

Kati Adams, the Park and Land Preservation Superintendent, was in attendance, along with LuAnn Maisner, the Director of Parks & Recreation, and Park Commissioner Michael McDonald and spoke a few words at the opening ceremony. Eighteen volunteers came together to plant 13 native trees around the park. No experience was necessary to attend and planting the trees will increase the overall tree canopy and add beauty and shade in Meridian Township. ReLeaf Michigan oversaw the event and had their Tree Expert J. Paul Swartz, a retired Michigan State University Arborist demonstrate how to properly plant a tree.

HOMTV spoke with Ashley Laux, a Project Forester for ReLeaf Michigan, and says the organization has been working with the Okemos Climate Club Change since the beginning of Spring, “They reached out to ReLeaf Michigan and came across the organization with the work we do and have done fundraisers on behalf of our organization,” Laux says. “They’ve been a pleasure to work with and are impressive for a group so young to come together. I’ve worked with them closely to get this organized and we’re involved in each step of the progress and a lot goes into it from getting the tools and the volunteers out planting the trees.”

Laux thanked everyone who came to support the event, including Meridian Township, the Okemos Climate Change Club and the sponsors for ReLeaf Michigan who allow them to do these events.

For more information, please contact Kati Adams, at kadams@meridian.mi.us or 517.853.4616