The Greening of Detroit was established in 1989 to guide and inspire the reforestation of Detroit. In 2006, a new vision was established, expanding The Greening’s mission to guide and inspire others to create a "greener" Detroit through planting and educational programs, environmental leadership, advocacy, and by building community capacity.

In December 1989, Elizabeth Gordon Sachs mobilized key Detroit residents, business people and industry professionals in support of an effort to reforest the city of Detroit. Between 1950 and 1980, around 500,000 trees were lost in Detroit to Dutch elm disease, urban expansion and attrition. During that same time period, economic constraints prohibited the city of Detroit from replacing those trees. With no routine maintenance to support it, Detroit's urban forest began a decline that has not yet been halted. In 1989, Detroit was losing an average of four trees for every one planted.

As The Greening's capacity as an organization expanded, the organization found other ways, in addition to tree planting, to address the pressing needs of Detroit’s ecosystem. Today, The Greening of Detroit is a well-established, nonprofit resource agency that partners with federal, state and local agencies, corporations and foundations to assist neighborhood groups, churches and schools in their efforts to improve Detroit's ecosystem. They do this through tree planting projects, environmental education, urban agriculture, open space reclamation, and workforce development programs.

Photograph by Marvin Shaouni Photography.