Students join Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Wayne County Parks and partners for Arbor Day event

SUMPTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (April 26, 2018) – More than 150 students will learn about the environment, while giving back to the community, during the third annual Arbor Day event sponsored by Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Wayne County Parks and their partners. This year’s theme is “Celebration of Spring.” Sixth through eighth graders from Gesu Catholic School in Detroit and Renton Junior High School in New Boston will learn about sustainability; the important role of bees, trees and insects in the ecosystem; and the value of wetlands. The opening ceremony will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, April 27 at Crosswinds Marsh Wetlands Interpretive Preserve, 27600 Haggerty Road, Sumpter Township.

Crosswinds Marsh is one of the largest and most successful wetland mitigation projects in the country. The 1000-acre nature preserve is maintained by Wayne County Parks under an agreement with the Wayne County Airport Authority—which operates Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Willow Run Airport—making Crosswinds Marsh the ideal location for this collaboration.

Throughout the event, students will engage in hands-on activities including a Spring-themed scavenger hunt, fishing, a beekeeper fashion show, sampling of honey from local beehives and tree planting.

“The idea for Arbor Day stems from a discussion about sustainability and service between Airport Authority employees,” said Airport Authority Interim CEO Genelle Allen. “Three years later, in partnership with Wayne County and local businesses, we’ve touched the lives of more than 200 students and exposed them to one of Wayne County’s valuable assets—Crosswinds Marsh.”

“Wayne County is happy to once again partner with the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport for this year’s event,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “Our combined staff worked diligently to create a hands-on motivating Arbor Day experience that will hopefully foster a greater appreciation for the outdoors and inspire youth to be greater stewards of our natural resources. I look forward to seeing the impact this experience will make for these students.”

“For the Wayne County Conservation District, this event gives us the very best outdoor classroom in which to pass on our deep commitment to environmental stewardship to the next generation,” said Executive Director of the Wayne County Conservation District Connie Boris, Ph.D.

“The Davey Tree Expert Company has enjoyed partnering with the Wayne County Airport Authority to help teach our youth the value of our environment,” said The Davey Tree Expert Company’s Becca Ellis. “Our company’s vision is to achieve balance among people, progress and the environment.”

Representatives from the Airport Authority and Wayne County Parks will kick off the Arbor Day event with a brief program at 9:15 a.m. Immediately following, students will rotate between five learning stations hosted by Davey Tree, Green Toe Gardens, Wayne County Conservation District and Wayne County Parks. The festivities will end around 1:30 p.m. Students will leave the park with their own saplings to plant at home in honor of Arbor Day.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed nearly 35 million passengers in 2017 and is one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs. With service from 13 scheduled passenger airlines, Michigan’s largest airport offers more than 1,100 flights per day to and from more than 140 non-stop destinations on four continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.

Wayne County Parks is a division of the Wayne County Department of Public Services with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for families and citizens of the 43 communities of Wayne County. We maintain 5,600 acres of parkland and operate 35 parks, two golf courses, and the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center. Wayne County Parks holds dozens of educational and recreational events all year long including field trips, nature walks, and host classic annual events such as the Marshmallow Drops at Nankin Mills and Elizabeth Park, New Country on the River, and Jazz on the River. Wayne County is committed to offering the best park experiences for families to enjoy. For more information about Wayne County Parks, please call (734) 261-1990 or visit www.parks.waynecounty.com.