NORTHVILLIANS,

Last week, we all came together celebrating Easter, Passover, Ramadan (and even the Easter Bunny) and enjoyed the weekend. We started last week’s activities with a vigil for Ukraine where many in the community met at FUMC-Northville. That night, I read an emotional note written by Davi Reich (Ukrainian resident living at Allen Terrace) that he had recently presented to City Council. In this letter, he spoke about his homeland, the traditions of Passover, his relatives’ plight through the 21st century and the current wartime tragedy.

This week we are transitioning to earth friendly days … Earth Day (4/22) and Arbor Day (4/29). I would also like to reflect on our efforts directed at planning & caring for our prize-winning trees in the area. Many Northvillians don’t realize that we have National Champion trees in our community with a LONG history.

Before looking at Arbor and Earth Day activities around town let’s see what’s happening today:

Downtown Social District Update
A survey on the future of the Social District was recently sent out. You can take it by clicking on the following link. Downtown Street Closure Survey – Click Here

 Covid-19 Confirmed Cases: 

• Northville has had 710 cases/6 fatalities, Township 5910/81, Michigan 2.4M/36K, Nation 81M/989K, Global 504M/6.2M. (CDC.com)
   

Now let's transition to Earth and Arbor Day activities through time...

EARTH DAY

• Earth Day is a global, annual event celebrated on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental issues. First held on April 22, 1970 (52 years ago) it now includes a wide range of events coordinated worldwide. More than 1 billion people in more than 193 countries participated in Earth Day celebrations last year.
   
• The official theme for 2022 is “Invest in our Planet”.

• Arbor day (4/29) is a holiday during which time individuals and groups are encouraged to plant & care for trees. Many countries observe this special day. Notably, as early as 1892, The Northville Record printed an Arbor Day Proclamation from our Governor encouraging all Michigan residents to plant a tree.
   
• The Arbor Day Foundation just awarded the City of Northville (for the second consecutive year) the great distinction of being designated a “Tree City USA” community. We have more than 3100 trees on city property, not including our parks. Criteria for being a Tree City: A tree ordinance, a tree Board/Commission, a community forest program with budget, and an Arbor Day proclamation & observance. 
   
• With Earth Day/Arbor Day upon us, it’s appropriate to recognize our Northville Sustainability Team. They have accomplished a lot over the past two years in support of a “more sustainable Northville.” In case you don’t follow the efforts of this team, their list includes:
  • Developed a formal Sustainability Plan for the City of Northville.
  • Achieved Silver Certification for the City under the Michigan Green Communities Challenge (working with City Administration)
  • Completed a comprehensive Walkability Study for the City of Northville
  • Developed a Mobility Network Study analyzing the flow and safety of our City streets (in collaboration with the River Restoration & Riverwalk Task Force)
  • Established a formal sub-team to concentrate on all matters “TREES”
  • Worked with DDA to add additional EV Charging Stations (2 to 10)
  • Helped initiate a transition to more efficient Downtown LED Lighting (led by DDA)
     
• Fish Hatchery Park – I encourage you to walk about the newly planted “native-to-Michigan” plants & trees on the river’s edge and experience the rejuvenation of this area. All this was made possible through cooperation and a grant bestowed on the City & the Township by the EPA, Alliance of the Rouge, and the Great Lakes Restoration group. Look for trout swimming in this cold-water stream, where a 17-inch brown trout was caught just last week!
   
• Arborday.org states that the benefits of trees are immense and can include increasing property values, reduced energy consumption, reinvigoration & uniting of neighborhoods, benefits to wildlife, reduced impact of climate change, along with creating cooling & cleansing of our drinking water and air.
   
• The Sustainability Committee embarked on a campaign to identify our historical tree species in public spaces. I encourage you on your next walk to envision what these landmark (tagged) trees have seen in their time – from the birth of a milling community to an industrial powerhouse to our town today. Legacy tree locations include:
  • A Black Walnut on Rogers about 184 inches around
  • A Sycamore on W. Cady
  • An Elm in Library Park
  • A White Oak on Main St.
  • And a resplendent Silver Maple on Eaton Drive with a girth of 192 inches around (almost 16 feet)
     
• To see an analysis of the City’s Tree Inventory, click here: TreeKeeper 8 System for City of Northville, MI
   
• In 1960, Jack Hoffman (Editor of The Record) mentioned that the Northville/Novi area was known for its exceptionally large trees throughout the state and even the nation. At that time, Northville had TWO National champion trees and FOUR State champions.
   
• Other special trees of note are the Scotch Pines in Northville’s Cass Benton Park, the giant White Oak in front of Guernsey Dairy, and the Beech Trees at Maybury State Park.
   
• The Bennett Arboretum (oldest in the State), located in Edward Hines Park between Six & Seven Mile, was established in the 1930’s and still has over 100 of the original 470 specimen trees remaining. 

As the weather breaks this spring, take time to stroll through town looking for the plaques on our landmark trees, walk through the historic Bennett Arboretum or even relax at Ford Field and Mill Race Village, enjoying the canopy of the trees above. With our greenspace, waterways and unique topography, we are truly a “Hamlet in the Hills.”

Keep that Northville “Arbor Day & Earth Day” Faith!