BROOKLYN — Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy have formed a partnership to provide 50,000 trees to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to be planted across the state.
The 50,000 white pine trees were split among all 78 conservation districts throughout the state of Michigan. The districts have already planted many of the allocated pines this spring during peak planting times in public accessible areas that can be enjoyed by everybody. The remaining trees will be planted in the fall when conditions are more conducive to the survival of trees.
“MIS takes great pride in knowing that our green initiatives have made a significant, positive impact to the environment and sport of auto racing, and we continue to do different things to move forward with those initiatives,” says MIS President Roger Curtis. “It’s the right thing to do to protect our environment.”
Michigan International Speedway last year became the largest participant in Consumers Energy’s Green Generation, matching 100 percent of its electricity use with renewable energy. Close to 20,000 homes and businesses in Michigan participate in Green Generation, contributing each month to purchase power from renewable sources, all made in Michigan. Consumers Energy will continue to educate guests at MIS about energy efficiency in their own homes.
MIS is the first facility in all of motorsports and one of the first sporting venues in the country to join the EPA’s Green Power Partnership and offset its energy use from green power. The green power is generated by a partnership with the local utility, Consumers Energy. The track uses nearly five million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s electricity use.
The announcement was part of the 20th annual Michigan Arbor Day Celebration at Potter Park in Lansing. This event brought over 1,100 students and 24 organizations from throughout mid-Michigan to celebrate trees and natural resources.
“MADA is excited to partner with Michigan International Speedway and Consumers Energy in this great initiative,” State Arbor Day Coordinator Jennifer Hunnell says. “Planting trees and being good caretakers of our natural resources is what MADA is all about. This is a fantastic way to expand our presence in the state and we thank MIS and Consumers for this opportunity.”
The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a coalition of organizations and agencies dedicated to the promotion and celebration of Arbor Day throughout Michigan. The Michigan Arbor Day Alliance is a program of the Eaton Conservation District in Charlotte, Michigan and is made possible through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
