“Help us help trees help us!” Arboretum Detroit (ARB) has transformed 38 abandoned lots into 4 lovely public parks and a free tree nursery. A passion project of husband-and-wife team Birch & Kinga, ARB has removed tons of garbage, planted over 500 native trees, plants & flowers, installed accessible pathways & signage, gifted over 500 trees to neighbors, & hosted many free events – and now they need our help! Funds are running out for ARB's devoted park maintenance staff. Without community support, layoffs are imminent, and the Kemps will be overwhelmed by this workload.
Robyn, Jen and Eli help with the ongoing tree planting, invasive species removal, weeding, watering and mowing necessary to keep ARB parks healthy and accessible. Please help the Kemps keep their beloved team - locals who represent our BIPOC community - happily employed. Every donation will go directly toward park maintenance, and sharing this fundraiser will help us reach our goal. We appreciate and thank you for your support!
"Working for Arboretum Detroit as a woman of color is fantastic because I can contribute to creating more biodiversity, expand my knowledge of ecosystems, and inspire others who may not see themselves represented in this field of work," Robyn (tree planting, watering, weeding, event support)
"I can't think of a more "safe space" for a disabled, queer, indigenous person to work than in the glory of Arboretum Detroit's magical parks. It's a true blessing," Eli (mowing, admin & event support)
"I love Arboretum Detroit for thinking globally and acting locally. Helping care for green spaces in a majority Black city, where nature is largely inaccessible, helps me connect the dots between racial and climate justice," Jen (tree planting, invasive species removal, volunteer support)
"Arboretum Detroit's mission is to demonstrate reforesting Detroit’s landscape with public arboretums that exhibit the form and diversity of trees, while educating about the cultural, ecological, aesthetic, and economic role that trees play in our lives locally and globally".
Organizer and beneficiary
Arboretum Detroit
Beneficiary