Keep up on Brewery Vivant and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks for opportunities to volunteer and get involved with increasing the tree canopy in the city.
Congress Elementary and neighbor Brewery Vivant /Eric Tank
Newley planted trees on the north end of the school grounds /Eric Tank
Last Fall, Brewery Vivant teamed up with Friends of Grand Rapids Park (FOGRP) to plant trees at Highland Park. To build on their already established relationship, the groups paired up again this past Sunday to plant 10 trees at Congress Park. The trees were planted by half of Brewery Vivant’s staff with the help of the FOGRP team.
Leading up to the planting, Vivant and FOGRP worked directly with East Hills Council of Neighbors and Grand Rapids Public Schools to lead the enhancement of the school grounds and public space.
Lee Muller of FOGRP explains that three specific goals were reached in the planting: beautifying Congress park grounds, expanding the tree canopy at Congress Park and providing potential shade for users of the public space. Muller says ncreasing the tree canopy will contribute to the sequestering carbon, improve air quality and mitigate storm water, all while reducing energy use of the school.
Since their opening in December 2010, Brewery Vivant has worked to show their commitment to their community. The local brewery sends 10% of their profits into a variety of efforts in the nonprofit sector, such as the tree plantings in Grand Rapids parks.
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