Projects
The Southeast Michigan RD&D Council provides a framework for partnerships between citizens, businesses and governments to solve resource concerns, manage and utilize resources wisely. Services provided by the council vary from time to time, based upon resource concerns and needs within southeast Michigan.
Current
Michigan Wood Energy Project
Michigan's abundant wood resources are a smart choice for affordable, renewable, and sustainable energy. Through the Michigan Wood Energy Project, the Southeast Michigan RC&D Council is working to educate potential biomass users about the costs and benefits of switching to wood fuel. To try out the wood energy calculator and see other online resources, visit the project's website.Visit Site
Oakland University Wood Biomass Energy Demonstration
Oakland University has been awarded a $65,000 grant from the Southeast Michigan RC&D Council through a grant from the USDA Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center. This demonstration project, a wood boiler installation at the institution's new Clean Energy Research Center, will serve as a model for renewable energy in the region. Oakland University expects for the project to be operational by late 2011. Visit Site
Safe Firewood, Secure Industry
The Southeast Michigan RC&D Council is working with the USDA Forest Service to promote safe firewood production and use in Michigan. This project includes safety grants to statewide firewood producers, educational programming, the creation of an online directory of firewood producers, and new firewood treatment research in cooperation with Michigan State University’s Department of Forestry. Visit Site
Urbanwood Project
Did you know that southeastern Michigan’s dead and dying urban trees could produce nearly five million board feet of quality lumber each year? Through the Urbanwood Project, the Southeast Michigan RC&D Council is helping the area’s urban sawmills to join together, develop partnerships, and better market their sustainable wood products. Visit the project's website to see the online storefront and learn more about the Urbanwood Partners.Visit Site
Wood Utilization in the City of Flint
The Genesee Conservation District is working with the City of Flint to recover wood from city tree removals for use in local restoration projects and other wood utilization efforts. A Southeast Michigan RC&D Council grant of $50,000 will support this Trees for Habitat project, while also enabling them to track their progress and collect data on the success of their effort. Visit Site
Completed
Ash Utilization Options Project
The Southeast Michigan RC&D Council is creating a positive response to the state’s emerald ash borer outbreak by helping communities and businesses to find more value in their dead trees. Through demonstrations, research, trainings, and outreach the Council has shown how lumber, flooring, and other valuable products can be made from ash trees killed by this devastating forest pest.Visit Site
Conservation Buffer Initiative
The RC&D council provided access to soft engineering and conservation buffer techniques and technology through a Clean Water Act, section 319 grant that offered workshops and demonstration projects throughout the seven-county area to assist local people in learning and applying these valuable conservation practices.Visit Site
Urban Forest Products Alliance
The Southeast Michigan RC&D Council joined with partners in Illinois and Wisconsin to host a series of working meetings in 2010 to find opportunities for promoting urban wood use and creating better markets for products. These meetings resulted in the creation of a national network of partners who have pledged to form an Urban Forest Products Alliance (UFPA) with the mission of advancing the sustainable recovery and the highest and best use of the products of urban forests. Visit Site