Acorns
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It seems like an odd question. Most of us share a common understanding: to keep something in its current state or protect it from harm. If you’ve been following recent posts here or city communications, you may know the Riverland Park parcel on North Van Dyke is coming back before the Sterling Heights City Council,…
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On September 14, the Sterling Heights Board of Ordinance Appeals unanimously denied a request to reduce the protected Critical Root Zone around the historic Sterling Oak at 43934 Van Dyke. The official meeting minutes may take time to be released, and they will be linked here when available. In the meantime, residents can watch the…
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On August 12, 2026, the Chaldean Community Foundation and Sterling Heights Planning Department presented a revised development proposal. It covers the Riverland Park property on North Van Dyke Avenue. The Planning Commission subsequently approved the revised proposal. The City has posted the August 12 meeting materials. This revised plan designates the landmark chinquapin oak, Tree…
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Please note that a new development proposal is going before the Sterling Heights Planning Commission tonight, August 12, 6 PM 7 PM, at Sterling Heights City Hall Council Chambers. Proposal documentation can be found here: https://sterlingheights.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2048?fileID=32094 Written comments can also be submitted to the SH Office of Planning up to 4:30 pm of August 12…
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A conversation beneath the Sterling Oak in Sterling Heights, Michigan It’s the hottest afternoon of the year so far, and I’m sitting in the deepest shade I can find along this part of North Van Dyke. Under the Sterling Oak, my senses quickly take everything in. The bark feels thick and worn, like armor covering…
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A recent story in the New York Times lamented irreparable damage to the ‘Witness’ Tree outside of Abraham Lincoln’s former home, part of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. What is a Witness Tree? They are trees that were present during a grand historical or cultural event in America. The trees got…
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CONGRATULATIONS go to Andy Kozlowski, local Michigan investigative journalist at C&G Newspapers, for the recent top honors in not just one, but TWO notable journalism awards from Michigan professional press associations. His breakthrough stories on the threats to a centuries-old tree in Sterling Heights, Michigan, captured the attention and hearts of thousands. Michigan Press Association…
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The Sterling Oak is still standing.Still rooted.Still waiting. And it is not waiting alone. Surrounding it are other landmark trees — quieter, less well known, but no less a part of the landscape — all tied to the same uncertain fate. Years after their future first came into question, nothing has been fully decided —…
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Tree Canopy US is a canopy data project of the Arbor Day Foundation (founders of TreeCity® designations), the US Forest Service, and PlantITGeo. It states its goals as helping communities understand their tree canopy data and “understand how well plans and projects are working.” It only measures trees over 10-15 feet high, or otherwise relatively…
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Next year, the United States of America will celebrate 250 years of existence. A noteworthy milestone that will prompt much reflection on the trials, successes, and opportunities envisioned by our country’s founders. Based on its estimated age, the Sterling Oak was likely here at that time, which is quite remarkable to think about. By the…
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From our heartwood to yours, thank you to everyone who has written, called, posted, and spoken this year in support of saving this special old tree, its friends, wildlife that depend on it, wetlands, and all the surrounding habitat in Sterling Heights, Michigan. These natural features belong to all of us, support all of us.…
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As previously posted, there will be a City Council-requested update on the development status of the CCF2 property on North Van Dyke. It appears on the Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Council Meeting Agenda under the City Manager’s Report Item D. City Council Meetings are held at the Sterling Heights City Hall council chambers, 40555 Utica…
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In 1875, the Overland Monthly magazine published the words of John Muir’s observations and musings about the relationship between human civilization and nature in the column Wild Wool, a theme established by his own words of intention, “To obtain a hearing on behalf of Nature from any other standpoint than that of human use is…
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At the November 5, 2025, Sterling Heights City Council meeting, during the concluding comments open to council, the newly re-elected Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawaski reflected on the election outcome. First, by highlighting the decades of work and distinguished contributions of long-time Councilwoman Deanna Koski (and notably a consistent and strong advocate for nature preservation!),…
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After 8 months, Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor finally responded to the Sterling Oak petition. Because the last post was a bit long on the topic of excessive baloney, let’s just keep this one short and sweet. We will simply compare the Mayor’s opinion with the reality of this development. The Destruction Reality Because facts…