By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Sierra Jedlowski has seen first hand the damage that pollution has done.
"So many trees are dying because of the polluted air," she said.
In an effort to help the environment and clear the air, Sierra, a fifth grade student at Eastside Elementary school, came up with a very green idea.
"We were driving in the car one day and she said 'Mom, there aren't enough healthy trees in our area. I think I want to plant some,' and that's where the idea started," Laurie Jedlowski, Sierra's mother, said.
Sierra wrote a letter to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) asking for permission to plant a few trees along the U.S. 31 Bypass. Inspired by what she said, MDOT officials jumped on it and even purchased the trees for her – 25 Blue Spruces to be exact.
"We told her we would gather the trees if she gathered to people to help plant them,"Chris Vera, resource analyst for MDOT said.
On Friday afternoon, Sierra's wish came true and, with friends and family by her side, several trees were planted along U.S. 31, including one spot at the corner of Bell Road.
According to Vera, requests like this are not uncommon, but they do no happen very often, especially from younger children.
"We think it's great that she wants to help clean the air. Trees are very good for the environment as they provide oxygen, help clean the air and they are good for wildlife habitat," Vera said.
Sierra admitted this was not her first attempt in her fight to make Mother Nature a cleaner, safer place.
"At my church, we clean up local beaches and rivers and I really like doing that. This is my first time planting trees and I know it won't be my last. There are a lot of other areas that need to be cleaned or that need more trees and I want to help as much as I can," Sierra said.
Blue Spruces are a medium-sized evergreen tree, which can grow to be 25 to 30 meters tall, though the trees that Sierra planted are only about one-foot tall.
"I know they will take a long time to grow, but at least they will be here in the future," Sierra said.
Blue Spruce is one of the most popular garden conifers, grown for its large foliage. It is also sometimes used as a Christmas tree, though the very sharp needles make it a poor choice for families with children.
Sierra said she hopes more people understand how serious pollution is and the harm it does to the earth.
"I wish people would stop littering so much and just throw their trash away in a trash can like it should be. That would be a good start. We find some nasty stuff when we clean up by the rivers and I can't believe people just throw that kind of stuff on the ground," Sierra said.