Here are some of our most memorable Community Events!
Union Missionary Baptist Church Tree-planting
In 2026, a record number of volunteers gathered for a two-hour tree-planting event at Union Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Lansing. According to Lansing Forestry Supervisor Irene Cahill, the approximately 100 participants marked the largest turnout for a single planting event in her more than 30 years of service.
The effort was coordinated by a broad coalition of organizations, including the City of Lansing Forestry Service, City of Lansing Community Relations and Faith-Based Initiatives, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Michigan State University Community Engaged Learning, Peoples Church Earth Stewardship Ministry, and Michigan Interfaith Power and Light. Pastor Kenneth Craig welcomed volunteers and expressed gratitude for their participation, noting that the tree planting—requested by the City—will provide natural screening along the southern edge of the church property following the recent construction of a detached garage.
Reflecting on the event, Luci Solis, manager of the Mayor’s Community Relations and Faith-Based Initiatives program, described it as a powerful demonstration of unity and purpose, emphasizing that the group not only planted trees but also strengthened community bonds. In total, 15 trees, including City Slicker Birch and Oak Leaf Mountain Ash, were planted along the southern and western boundaries of the church grounds, with additional shrubs planned for the future
Attwood Park pocket forest project
In 2025, volunteers with the CAC completed phase two of the Attwood Park pocket forest project, planting 28 trees (provided by Lansing Parks and Recreation Department) under the leadership of Forestry Supervisor Irene Cahill and in cooperation with People's Church Earth Stewardship Committee, Lansing's Forestry Service, and the city's Operations and Maintenance Department. Volunteers also performed major upkeep on the 20 trees (all are doing well) planted earlier this year during phase one of the pocket forest, located in the south Lansing 25-acre park. Over the past two years, the Michigan IPL-sponsored event in Lansing has seen the area's canopy grow by over 200 total trees within two city parks.
Solar installation at the South Side Community Coalition
In 2022, the Capital Area Chapter (CAC) raised funds for a solar installation at the South Side Community Coalition. The array was installed in the spring and celebrated on Earth Day! Read more about that project here. In 2023, the group raised money to fund the installation of a solar array for an all-electric home in a new affordable housing development not far from the South Side Community Coalition.
