Spring is budding with the promise of greener spaces across Ohio, thanks to a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Girl Scouts. They are readying for a series of tree-planting events designed to get hands dirty for a good cause. ODNR is allied with the Girl Scout councils of Black Diamond, North East Ohio, Ohio’s Heartland, and Western Ohio for tree-planting sessions in April and May. These gatherings underscore a shared commitment to a flourishing natural legacy and community involvement.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz highlighted the events' dual purpose in a spirit of enthusiasm and stewardship. "These events are some of my favorites to attend with Girl Scouts because they’re fun, exciting, and we’re passing on our love of tree plantings and conservation to the future generation,” Mertz said. Through these plantings, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the partnership works to bolster wildlife habitats, enhance water quality, and underpin state forest and park ecosystems.
The initiative is part of the larger Girl Scout Tree Promise, a plan set forth by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to plant 5 million trees nationwide over a five-year horizon. This campaign seeks not just planting but also the safeguarding of tree life. To support this lofty goal, ODNR has pledged various resources to enable Ohio Girl Scouts to plant 250,000 trees in the state by 2026. With 161,520 trees planted in 2024 and a cumulative total of 215,474 trees already in the ground, ODNR and the Girl Scouts are fast approaching their goal. They aim to plant the 250,000th tree in time for America's semi-quincentennial in 2026.
Girl Scouts aiming to join must register ahead of time to participate in the events, with the reward of the exclusive Girl Scout Tree Promise Patch upon participation. Full details about tree planting locations will be unveiled to those who register. The 2025 tree planting events schedule presents opportunities on April 5 at Lapp Land Reclamation in Logan, April 12 at Maumee State Forest in Swanton, April 26 at Western Reserve Land Conservancy Boughton Farm in Akron; April 27 at Willow Grove State Forest in St. Clairsville; and finally, May 3 at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, as detailed on the ODNR website.
Such partnerships bulk up Ohio's environmental credentials and foster a culture of conservation that will hopefully sprout and spread, aligning with wider national objectives. By coupling the energy and engagement of Ohio's Girl Scouts with the expertise and resources of ODNR, this tree-planting initiative plants seeds for more than just forests—it plants seeds for a future where respect and care for the environment are ingrained values passed down through generations.
