Traverse City-based nonprofit Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) received $200,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Wild Roots, a mass reforestation pilot-program aimed at restoring northern Michigan’s native forests with 100,000 trees and shrubs over five years. CRA is among 15 recipients of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant funding, which awarded a total of $9,056,711 to projects that address excess nutrient runoff from nonpoint sources, including stormwater and agriculture, to the Great Lakes. 

Wild Roots was developed to complement CRA’s stream restoration work within 16 watersheds – all of which drain into the Great Lakes. The CRA says Wild Roots' tree-planting program reduces runoff, improves wildlife habitat, provides shade for world-class coldwater streams, and reduces harmful sediment and nutrient inputs. Now in its second year, Wild Roots has helped to provide Michigan landowners with more than 30,000 trees and shrubs at a discounted rate. Among the 2020 participants are public and private partners, including the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Leelanau Conservancy, Norte, Crystal Mountain Resort, the City of Traverse City, and riverfront property owners.