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Tree Board prioritizes a rain garden and a pocket forest, seeks school partners and grant funding
Summary
Members agreed to prioritize two community environmental demonstration projects — a rain garden (short-term) and a pocket forest (longer-term with school involvement) — and discussed Tip of the Mitt technical assistance, Community Foundation grant ranges, volunteer maintenance, and who will maintain completed sites.
The Harbor Springs Tree Board narrowed a long list of potential activities and agreed to focus on two community environmental demonstration projects this year: a rain garden that can be planned and installed relatively quickly, and a pocket forest that will require more coordination with local schools and winter planning.
During discussion of the project table and the city tree plan, the board emphasized education and outreach as a co-benefit of demonstration sites. Several members recommended partnering with local teachers and the school district so a pocket-forest project can be integrated into curriculum planning. Erin (S2) and others urged early outreach to school staff to secure class participation before the academic year begins.
Board members identified Tip of the Mitt as a possible technical partner and discussed grant opportunities through the Petoskey/Harbor Springs Community Foundation. A member cited foundation grant ranges of $10,000–$30,000 (average $17,000), with an early-February application deadline and projects required to complete within about 20 months. The board also discussed the Urban Forestry Fund as a donor source that can accept applications at any time.
Members flagged maintenance as a critical decision point: volunteers currently maintain several garden areas, but the board must establish a sustainable maintenance plan—either volunteer-driven or with Public Works support. Staff noted the city sometimes uses contracted arborists and sometimes performs work in-house; the presence or absence of a trained forester on staff will affect long-term maintenance planning.
Next steps: Tina (staff) will contact Tip of the Mitt and Sarah Ford about timing and potential assistance; the board will plan a community planting day for the rain garden and use the winter months to refine pocket-forest plans with school partners. The board also tasked a volunteer to draft a “parks corner” outreach item for local communications.
No formal funding decision was made at the meeting; members said they will pursue grant applications and clarify maintenance responsibilities before committing to construction.
