Plant shade trees on a bare Benton Harbor block (2026-07-18)

Benton Harbor's residential blocks lost canopy for decades while neighboring St. Joseph kept its shade — the disparity shows in summer temperatures and utility bills. Planting hardy shade trees on invited yards and approved strips starts closing that gap. Standard: Arbor Day Foundation planting standard + MDNR urban forestry guidance; SDG 13 Climate Action. Proof: GPS-dated photo of each tree planted to standard Method (Arbor Day Foundation planting standard + MDNR urban forestry guidance; SDG 13 Climate Action.): 1. Confirm host invitations or approved public strip spots and call 811 before digging. 2. Dig wide, shallow holes and set each tree with the root flare at grade. 3. Backfill with native soil, water deeply, and mulch clear of the trunk. 4. Stake only if windy, with soft ties. 5. Photograph each planted tree with GPS and date on and record species and count. Done when: GPS-dated photo of each tree planted to standard

Where

Host-invited yards and planting strips, Empire Avenue area, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

GPS-dated photo of each tree planted to standard

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-17

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–60 minutes. Method of record: i-Tree canopy / street-tree inventory

Bring

• GPS phone
• DBH tape or measuring tape
• tree ID reference
• camera
• hi-vis vest

Steps

1. 1. Walk the corridor; record a GPS waypoint at each tree.
2. 2. Photograph each surveyed tree.
3. 3. Record species (best estimate), condition class (good/fair/poor/dead), and DBH (diameter at breast height).
4. 4. Count vacant planting sites.
5. 5. Enter the per-tree records, vacant-site count, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Dead or hazardous tree observed -> flag for the responsible agency (no removal by surveyor).
• High vacant-site count -> recommend a planting plan for the corridor.

What counts as done

• Per-tree species + condition + DBH recorded
• Vacant planting sites counted
• GPS waypoint per tree
• Photo per surveyed tree

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.