Options for Greening Vacant Lots Brownfields 2011: Sustainable Communities Start Here

The Greening of Detroit’s mission is to guide and inspire the creation of a ‘greener’ Detroit through planting and educational programs, environmental advocacy, and by developing community capacity. Spring Planting 2004

Programming in 5 Focus Areas: Tree Planting, Urban Agriculture, Environmental Education, Workforce Development and Advocacy A Few Annual Accomplishments 7,000 trees planted 10,000 Kids Educated about their Environment Supporting 1,234 Vegetable Gardens 160 Tons of Fresh Food Grown 120 trainees involved in Green Industry Workforce Development Program 200 Youth involved in Summer Youth Employment Program

The Opportunity Declining population (-25% in 2010 census) Abundant vacant land (+110,000 vacant lots) Spirit of Innovation The Challenge Find and test options for cleaning and greening vacant land in a way that is cost effective and engages the community

Clover (annual) Growth Characteristics: 6” to 2’ height, fast growing, fairly aggressive Maintenance: reseed annually, mow semi-annually Pros: Low-height, uniform coverage, soil stabilizing Cons: Low stormwater infiltration rates, must be reseeded annually Total Costs (1/4 acre) Fencing: $700 Seed installation, maintenance, and labor: $1800 (annually)

Alfalfa or timothy (annual) Growth Characteristics: 2-3’ height, medium growth rate Maintenance: reseed annually, mow semi-annually Pros: Uniform coverage, soil stabilizing, unique appearance Cons: Moderate stormwater infiltration rates, must be reseeded annually Total Costs (1/4 acre) Fencing: $700 Seed installation, maintenance, and labor: $1900 (annually)

Sunflower (annual) Growth Characteristics: 2-9’ height, medium growth rate Maintenance: reseed annually, cut annually Pros: Uniform coverage, soil stabilizing, phytoremediation, vibrant late summer bloom, bird habitat Cons: Low stormwater infiltration rates, must be reseeded annually Total Costs (1/4 acre) Fencing: $700 Seed installation, maintenance, and labor: $1800 (annually)

Shortgrass prairie (perennial) Growth Characteristics: 2-3’ height, medium growth rate Maintenance: seed once, remove invasive plants first 2-3 years, cut twice annually Pros: Soil stabilizing, vibrant three season floral bloom, drought tolerant, high stormwater infiltration rates, natural habitat Cons: Establishes over first three years Total Costs (1/4 acre) Fencing: $700 Seed installation, maintenance, and labor: $2200 (first year) Maintenance and labor (mowing and invasive removal): $950

Neighborhood Nurseries and New Growth Forests (perennial) Growth Characteristics: Mixed hardwoods characteristic of succession forests and suitable for Detroit (Zone 5) microclimates Maintenance: plant once, remove competing plants first 2-3 years, water weekly y1-3, prune every 3 years. Pros: Soil stabilizing, dendroremediation, drought tolerant, high stormwater infiltration rates, natural habitat Cons: Establishes over first three years Total Costs (1/2 acre) Tree installation, maintenance, and labor: $5,000 Maintenance and labor : $3,000

Time Cost Comparison (5 year period) Total Costs (per ¼ acre) (seeding/fence installation and maintenance): Clover $9700 Alfalfa/timothy: $10,200 Sunflower: $9700 Shortgrass Prairie: $7650 Forest: $9,500 ___________________________ Stormwater Infiltration rates (to negate site runoff) & Phytoremediation Opportunities: Clover: Low/Low Alfalfa/timothy: Medium/Low Sunflower: Low/High Shortgrass Prairie: High/Medium Forest: High/High

The Green Corps: Workforce Development Program Youth: Began in 1998 Paid summer employment program 200 youth annually water and maintain planting projects Adult:Began in 2005 Stipended 10 week certification program (3 cohorts per year) 120 Adults annually train by implementing Greening projects In-program case management + Post training job placement

Rebecca Salminen Witt President