About The Tree Lab
The Place
The Problem
The Problem
Oceana County, Michigan.
Pop. 26,659
Situated along 27 miles of Lake Michigan coastline, Oceana county boasts majestic forests and a rich history of timber mills, orchards and farms. Known as the "Asparagus Capital of the World", summertime visitors cherish Oceana's pristine beaches & serene forest preserves, enjoying unmatched recreation & charming small towns.
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA)
and the loss of coastal habitat & riparian forest buffer.
Hemlock trees provide critical coastal habitat, help stabilize dunes, and cool inland streams. An invasive insect called the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid threatens Michigan's 170 million hemlock trees. The insect’s wool-like egg sacks invade hemlock’s needles, an
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA)
and the loss of coastal habitat & riparian forest buffer.
Hemlock trees provide critical coastal habitat, help stabilize dunes, and cool inland streams. An invasive insect called the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid threatens Michigan's 170 million hemlock trees. The insect’s wool-like egg sacks invade hemlock’s needles, and without treatment, infested trees die within four to 10 years. While
The Project
The Problem
The Project
The Oceana Coastal Conservation Corridor
& The Tree Lab
In partnership with The Oceana Conservation District & The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, The Tree Lab works with K12 schools, local businesses, and community organizations to deliver 'Place-Problem-Project' based STEM career training to Oceana county youth. Students and forestry
The Oceana Coastal Conservation Corridor
& The Tree Lab
In partnership with The Oceana Conservation District & The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, The Tree Lab works with K12 schools, local businesses, and community organizations to deliver 'Place-Problem-Project' based STEM career training to Oceana county youth. Students and forestry conservation professionals will plant over 22,000 new trees to replace & diversify the dying hemlock trees.
the Team
The Problem
The Project
Tree Science Experts
& Industry Professionals
Our team is comprised of foresters, conservation technicians, ecological design engineers, tree nursery managers & innovative wood product technology specialists. These STEM careers are potential pathways we share with The Tree Lab students, paired with industry matched training schools and co
Tree Science Experts
& Industry Professionals
Our team is comprised of foresters, conservation technicians, ecological design engineers, tree nursery managers & innovative wood product technology specialists. These STEM careers are potential pathways we share with The Tree Lab students, paired with industry matched training schools and college degree programs available to Oceana high school graduates .
The Tree Lab Workforce Stations
The Tree Library
The Nursery School
The Nursery School
The Tree Library is our collection of trees selected for their diverse and specific qualities. Different trees have different "jobs", or functions, while some trees have multiple jobs and functions.
The Tree Library is our “database” of mother trees that we use to propagate and intelligently plant in places like forests, farms and nature preserves.
The Nursery School
The Nursery School
The Nursery School
The Nursery School is our mobile tree nursery and propagation science station. Propagation is the science of producing a new tree from a parent tree. There are many techniques, and different trees require different skills and knowledge. The field of horticultural science + the ever- increasing demand for trees make The Nursery School a very important STEM workforce station.
timber technology
The Nursery School
agroforestry command center
Skilled arborists and tree surgeons climb the tallest of trees with specialized equipment and advanced safety technology. We use wood products for SO MANY things in our world, and it all starts with professional timber workers. Learn firsthand what goes into sustainable forest & timber management and the incredible equipment, technology and products created through this very important industry.
agroforestry command center
the tree planting experience
agroforestry command center
Agroforestry fuses the best conservation practices of forestry, agriculture and natural resource restoration. Using high tech drones, computer mapping software and ecological systems engineering, the Agroforestry Command Center is a window into the future of land management.
the tree planting experience
the tree planting experience
the tree planting experience
Coming full circle, the Tree Lab engages students in ecological restoration through hands-on tree installations. Each student is trained in tree planting techniques, and leaves the Tree Lab knowing they've made a positive impact for future generations to enjoy.
Our Partners
