SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw-area residents may have noticed teams cutting down trees on Ojibway Island ahead of the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks, and city officials want the community to know more about the initiative, why it’s happening and who is paying for it.
According to a news release from the City of Saginaw on Friday morning, June 30, the tree felling is a joint effort between the city and Saginaw Area Fireworks Inc., which prioritizes safety and “enhances the natural beauty of one of Saginaw’s most popular areas should”. .”
“The initiative will enable necessary removal of damaged and decayed trees along a busy trail on Ojibway Island. “The tree felling will occur this week ahead of the upcoming fireworks display on Ojibway,” the press release said. “The tree felling costs will be funded entirely by the Saginaw Area Fireworks. Additionally, Saginaw Area Fireworks has committed to replacing each tree that is removed with two new trees in the fall of 2023.”
The new trees will be native to Saginaw County and will be planted along the trail on Ojibway and throughout the city, officials said.
“We would like to make every effort to increase the safety of our fireworks for everyone present on the island. “We have taken proactive measures to protect the safety of our pyrotechnicians and the countless residents who visit this area on Ojibway,” Thomas Roy, president of the Saginaw Area Fireworks, said in a statement.
“We also understand the importance of trees in our ecosystem and the benefits they provide to our community. This new initiative will keep our community safe and enhance the natural beauty of our city.”
Phil Karwat, director of public services, said the city and fireworks officials were advised by an arborist.
“In preparation for this year’s fireworks, we walked the island with an arborist and the fireworks committee. Several trees were found to be decayed or damaged from recent storms and recommended removal,” Karwat said in a statement.
“We are very grateful to the Saginaw Area Fireworks for their generosity in not only funding the removal of the trees, but also agreeing to a 2:1 tree replacement. We are very fortunate and support the efforts of the Saginaw Area Fireworks. This is an example of their commitment to the City of Saginaw and the residents of our community.”
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Read more from MLive:
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https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2023/06/some-ojibway-island-trees-being-removed-ahead-of-the-fireworks-but-more-will-be-planted-this-fall.html
