Want to help Michigan with cleaner air and water? Want to provide cooling summer shade and a haven for wildlife?

Start with a tree. Pick one out at your local nursery, plant it and then pin it on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ interactive map.

The DNR invites residents to help in planting 50 million trees by 2030 through our Mi Trees campaign. Whether on a family forest plot handed down through generations or a small city lot, a new tree (or trees) can make a big difference in the landscape.

“Michigan’s natural beauty and resources are the pride and joy of every Michigander,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “To protect our state’s green spaces, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging Michiganders to join the Mi Trees campaign, helping to plant 50 million trees by 2030. If you’re interested in being a part of this statewide effort, plant your own tree, and log it online through the DNR website. As governor, I’ll keep working across the aisle to make bold investments in our parks and public lands, including the $450 million investment we made in our state and local parks earlier this year–the largest one-time investment ever–in the Building Michigan Together Plan.”

Mi Trees is part of 1T.org, a global effort to plant more trees to help communities adapt to the world’s changing climate. Since Michigan’s campaign launched on Arbor Day, nearly 270 planters have pinned more than 50,000 trees on the map.

The DNR plans to plant more than 6 million trees this year on state forest land. The department typically plants millions of trees a year.

“To make sure new trees stay healthy, plant them correctly and water through the summer,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry coordinator for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division.

These tips from the Arbor Day Foundation can help in selection and planting:

— Spring and fall are best for planting trees. Staff at local nurseries can help in choosing a tree from their inventories that will thrive where you want to put it.

— Consider the size the tree will be when fully grown and plant an appropriate distance from the house or other buildings and away from power lines.

— Consider planting native trees, which provide food and cover for wildlife.

— Water the tree daily during the first week, then weekly afterward. A balance is best — enough water but not too much. If the ground feels wet, the tree may not need to be watered.

— Once the tree is planted, go to the DNR’s Mi Trees webpage at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/forestry/mi-trees and click on “plant a tree and add it to the map” to access the interactive map and log in your tree.