Green Columbus’ Earth Day Seedling Planting Efforts

Every April, Green Columbus launches a massive Earth Day service campaign and celebration featuring over 100 volunteer worksites throughout Columbus — the largest volunteer Earth Day event in the country. However, we have our own Earth Day undertaking — distributing tree seedlings to the community.

Since 2011, over 300,000 seedings have been distributed, nearly half of which were given out in just the last two Aprils (2023 & 2024). These are native bareroot seedlings which work best for restoration and reforestation efforts. 

One of the organizations that receives our seedlings, CAS Green Club, is restoring a picnic area along the Olentangy River. Their leader, Linda Hart, writes, “The Earth Day trees have provided a wonderful scaffold for re-envisioning a vibrant green space for staff and nature. The native trees seem to be acclimating well to the floodplain area. They help stabilize the riverbank, encourage pollinators, and promote biodiversity.”

Green Columbus is the largest distributor of free seedlings in Central Ohio and is continuously dedicated to reforesting our neighborhoods and parks. “Franklinton is constantly struggling with deforestation amidst private development, public service overhauls... the 150+ trees from Green Columbus that have successfully established over the past 3 years on private property are an important step towards countering this deforestation trend,” says Nick Stanich of Friends of Franklinton Forest.

Seedlings given out for Earth Day are for community projects. As a result, they often take place in parks, former agricultural land, reclaimed dump sites, and other similar environments. Check out Green Columbus next April for some seedlings, or if you’re looking for trees to plant near your home, stay tuned for our tree giveaways in the Fall!